Marie “Rachel” (née Martin) Bellenoit, 76, of South Hadley, MA, formerly of Chicopee, MA, passed away peacefully and with honor on 19th of December, 2025 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on the 16th of October, 1949 in Woonsocket, RI, daughter of Théophile and Claire (Farley) Martin. She attended St. Anne Academy from 1964 to 1968, where she forged strong, lifelong friendships that lasted until her final days. She also briefly attended Anna Maria College. In 1972 she married the late John R. Bellenoit in St. Anne Academy’s Chapel in Marlboro, MA. Together they settled in western Massachusetts, raising three children. Rachel went on to work for the Wall Street Journal in customer service, for the internet start-up Health communities, and then eventually for MassMutual. Rachel was an award-winning photographer and avid birder. She shared her love and knowledge with anyone who would listen. Her photography may be seen at RachelBellenoit.com. In 2022 she settled in South Hadley, MA. She is survived by her second husband Kevin Collins of South Hadley and her three children; Hayden Bellenoit and his wife Sara Vakhshouri, with their two children Noor and Kian, of Severna Park, MD; Ross Bellenoit and his wife Andrea Weber of Philadelphia, PA; and Simone Bellenoit of South Hadley, MA. Her longtime friends - those known since high school and those in the Western Massachusetts area - will miss her dearly. She enjoyed, above all, the warm company of her family, friends and the wondrous beauty of nature and the outdoors. She lived life to the fullest and touched every soul she met. Friends and relatives will be invited to a small gathering and memorial service in the spring. The Grise Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com.