CHICOPEE – Claire Bazinet, 88, of Chicopee and a longtime resident of Flushing, New York, was Called Safely Home on Friday, October 9, 2026, at River Mills Assisted Living. She passed into Eternal Life at her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving niece, Barbara, and great-niece, Ashley. She was born in Holyoke on April 11, 1938, a beloved daughter of the late Rudolphe and Elizabeth (Dressel) Bazinet. At the age of 18, Claire enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years as an Information Specialist, reaching the rank of Specialist Fourth Class. While in the Army, she attended the United States Information School at Fort Slocum, New York, and was later stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland before being honorably discharged in 1959. Following her military service, Claire moved to New York City and was employed as an editor for Arco Publishing and Grosset & Dunlap Publishers Inc. while serving as an Administrative Secretary of the Universal Library. She was last employed as an editor for the Sterling Publishing Company, which later became Barnes and Noble Publishing, and retired in 2009. She loved singing, reading, animals, astrology, and watching Star Trek. “Live long and Prosper!” She loved to travel and enjoyed many cruises all over the world. She settled back in Chicopee in 2023, where she lived out the rest of her life; however, her heart would always remain in New York City. That is why she affectionately signed everything to her family as “ACNYC,” meaning Aunt Claire New York City. Though she has departed this earthly life, she is lovingly remembered by her devoted niece, Barbara Paulo. The love she gave and the legacy she leaves behind will continue through the generations of family and friends who follow her. Claire is predeceased by her parents; her sister, Helen Desorcy and her husband, Romeo; and her nephew, Daniel Paulo. Claire’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the amazing staff and caregivers as well as all of the love and support from all of Claire’s family and friends. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in remembrance of Claire and to celebrate her life on Friday, April 9, 2027, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1:30 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The funeral home will open at 12 p.m. Her Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Celebration Service at 3 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial donations be made in Claire's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details and to leave condolence messages for her family, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com