Michele Rita Asselin Holyoke, Massachusetts Obituary

Michele Rita Asselin

<p>SOUTH HADLEY</p> <p>Michele Rita Bernard Asselin (March 12th, 1949) was called from this earth on Thursday, December 2, 2021 after a proud, valiant and courageous battle with Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. Michele passed quietly surrounded by friends and family. Michele was called home to be with her mother, Rita Bernard, father, Raymond Bernard, niece Elizabeth Bernard and her best friend and cousin, Susan Gillis. She leaves behind her husband Richard Asselin of 48 years, her brother Raymond Bernard, wife Margaret Bernard and nephew Nicholas Bernard, her son Mathieu Asselin and wife Maggie Asselin, children Georgia and Wes, her daughter Margaux Lamirande and husband Stephen Lamirande, children Braeden, Maya and Max. Michele had a passion and affinity for education and excelled at it. She spent decades teaching children with special needs at Litwin School in Chicopee. She did whatever she could for children and her smile, work ethic and kindness brightened the lives of countless children. Michele&rsquo;s love for your students was only surpassed by her love for her family and grandchildren. She spent countless hours babysitting, attending sports events and being there for her grandchildren. Her love, care and compassion for Braeden, Maya, Georgia, Wes and Max will remain a constant in their lives even though Michele is physically no longer with them. Michele was a very proud woman. Her pride, grace and dignity were never diminished, even during her final days when Alzheimer&rsquo;s ravaged her body and attempted to strip her of her last vestiges of grace and dignity. Even though it took her life, it never diminished her love of family and courageous spirit. As her Alzheimer&rsquo;s progressed and forced Michele out of her beloved home in Holyoke, she was cared for unconditionally and continuously by her daughter, Margaux Lamirande and Joan Lamirande. Over the past three years, Margaux and Joan sacrificed greatly to make Michele&rsquo;s life as comfortable and fulfilling as possible. Even though Michele is no longer on this earth with us, the manner in which she lived her life, cared for and loved others, has truly made this world a better place to live. The family would like to thank the Holyoke VNA/Hospice and Pioneer Valley Home Care Services (Stephanie, Sue and Virginia) for their exceptional care of Michele.</p> <p>Family and friends are asked to gather for a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday December 9 at 10:00am in Saint Jerome Church, 169 Hampden Street, Holyoke. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are Wednesday December 8 from 4:00 to 7:00pm in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke.&nbsp;</p> <p>In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Alzheimer&rsquo;s Association so that no one else in the future will have to experience this cruel and heartless disease, or St. Jude&rsquo;s Children&rsquo;s Hospital an organization that Michele contributed to greatly.</p>
March 12, 1949 - December 2, 202103/12/194912/02/2021
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SOUTH HADLEY

Michele Rita Bernard Asselin (March 12th, 1949) was called from this earth on Thursday, December 2, 2021 after a proud, valiant and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Michele passed quietly surrounded by friends and family. Michele was called home to be with her mother, Rita Bernard, father, Raymond Bernard, niece Elizabeth Bernard and her best friend and cousin, Susan Gillis. She leaves behind her husband Richard Asselin of 48 years, her brother Raymond Bernard, wife Margaret Bernard and nephew Nicholas Bernard, her son Mathieu Asselin and wife Maggie Asselin, children Georgia and Wes, her daughter Margaux Lamirande and husband Stephen Lamirande, children Braeden, Maya and Max. Michele had a passion and affinity for education and excelled at it. She spent decades teaching children with special needs at Litwin School in Chicopee. She did whatever she could for children and her smile, work ethic and kindness brightened the lives of countless children. Michele’s love for your students was only surpassed by her love for her family and grandchildren. She spent countless hours babysitting, attending sports events and being there for her grandchildren. Her love, care and compassion for Braeden, Maya, Georgia, Wes and Max will remain a constant in their lives even though Michele is physically no longer with them. Michele was a very proud woman. Her pride, grace and dignity were never diminished, even during her final days when Alzheimer’s ravaged her body and attempted to strip her of her last vestiges of grace and dignity. Even though it took her life, it never diminished her love of family and courageous spirit. As her Alzheimer’s progressed and forced Michele out of her beloved home in Holyoke, she was cared for unconditionally and continuously by her daughter, Margaux Lamirande and Joan Lamirande. Over the past three years, Margaux and Joan sacrificed greatly to make Michele’s life as comfortable and fulfilling as possible. Even though Michele is no longer on this earth with us, the manner in which she lived her life, cared for and loved others, has truly made this world a better place to live. The family would like to thank the Holyoke VNA/Hospice and Pioneer Valley Home Care Services (Stephanie, Sue and Virginia) for their exceptional care of Michele.

Family and friends are asked to gather for a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday December 9 at 10:00am in Saint Jerome Church, 169 Hampden Street, Holyoke. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are Wednesday December 8 from 4:00 to 7:00pm in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Alzheimer’s Association so that no one else in the future will have to experience this cruel and heartless disease, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital an organization that Michele contributed to greatly.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michele Rita Asselin please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Dec
08
Visitation
Wednesday, December 08 2021
04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home
2049 Northampton Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
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