Helen P. Lachapelle

East Longmeadow – Helen (Plisga) Lachapelle, 96, of East Longmeadow, passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 4th, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. Born in Waterville, ME to the late John and Aggie (Kroska) Plisga, she was a 1939 graduate of Waterville High School in Maine. Helen went on to receive her Business Administration Degree from Bay Path College, graduating in 1941. Throughout her career, Helen was employed with Travelers Insurance in Springfield for 42 years, retiring as Personnel Manager in 1984. She had been a communicant of St. Michael’s Parish in East Longmeadow since 1941 and was a member of the East Longmeadow Friendship Club and volunteer for the Council on Aging Shine program for 13 years. Helen was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Clifford R. Lachapelle in 1997 and by her five brothers, William, John, Frank, Stanley and Joseph Plisga. She is survived by her sister, Josephine P. DeFlorio of South Carolina; her god-daughter and niece, Pauline St. Amand of North Hampton, NH; god-son, Dr. Robert DeFlorio of St. John, FL and by many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, including Michael DeFlorio of East Longmeadow and Valerie Plouffe of New Hampshire. Family and friends are invited to meet for calling hours on Sunday April 8th from 3-5PM at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Helen’s funeral ceremony will be held on Monday April 9th starting at 10:30 AM at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM at St. Michael’s Church, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Helen’s Memory to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.