Mary Catherine Kalmbach

Mary Catherine (Cannon) Kalmbach, 88, passed away on December 26, 2020  after a long illness.  Mary was born on December 4, 1932, the beloved daughter of Bernard and Helen (Corcoran) Cannon. Mary spent her early years in Fair Haven, VT before settling with her family in Holyoke, MA .  Mary graduated from Holyoke High School in 1950 and Hampden College of Pharmacy in 1954 as Salutatorian and the only woman in her class.  Her early professional working years were spent at Hyland Pharmacy in Springfield. 
In 1958 Mary married the love of her life, Albert C. Kalmbach; they settled in Springfield, and they formed a devoted partnership that would sustain both through more than sixty-two years of marriage. Mary and Al provided for their children and grandchildren a powerful example of a strong marriage dedicating themselves to each other and their family.  In her last years, until COVID changed their world forever, despite many illnesses, Mary would light up and smile whenever Al walked into her room. 
Mary worked alongside her husband at Wolf Drug Store in Springfield; later ended her pharmacy career at Springfield Municipal Hospital.  They were active participants in the Western Mass Pharmacy Association for many years. After retiring Mary remained an engaged lifelong learner and enjoyed tutoring other seniors in the use of computers.  Mary became a devoted gardener and took great pride in her yard full of flowers, berries and vegetables. Mary was a determined, intelligent and focused person who chose to look at the positives in life.  Mary’s Catholic faith sustained her in good times and bad. 
Mary supported her children and grandchildren in all their endeavors, including rising at 5:00 AM to drive her sons to swim practices. Mary attended many ball games, swim and gymnastic meets, dance recitals, school plays and whatever other activities her children and grandchildren were involved in. Mary took great delight in spending time with her family.
Mary leaves her loving husband, Al, as well as their six children: Catherine Arventos (Thomas) of Palmer, MA; Albert Kalmbach, Jr (Lisa) of Colleyville; TX, Michael Kalmbach of Pittsfield, MA; Ellen Von Flatern (Leonard) of Sunderland, MA; Thomas Kalmbach (Marianne) of McKinney, TX; and, Bernard Kalmbach (Jennifer Sanborn) of Hopkinton, MA. 
Mary leaves 13 grandchildren including: Caroline Emery (Thomas); Christopher Kalmbach (Francesca); Mary Arventos; Kristin Hulme (William); Kathleen Menard (Rob), Carl Arventos; Jennifer Courtney (Clayton); Danielle, Christian, Haley, Benjamin, Kara and Megan Kalmbach. Mary also leaves 5 great grandchildren. Two beloved brothers and their families are also left to cherish her memory: John Cannon of Southwick, MA and James Michael Cannon of Holyoke, MA. 
Mary’s family extends their appreciation and thanks to Doris Smith of Homewatch Caregivers and to the staff at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds’ Landing for the compassionate care they provided during her last years of life. 
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 5, 2020 from 3-5pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., East Longmeadow. Funeral service and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s honor to Reed’s Landing Philanthropic Fund c/o Carol Constant, Director of Community Engagement, Loomis Communities, 246 North Main St., South Hadley, MA 01075 or St. Paul the Apostle Church, 235 Dwight Road, Springfield, MA 01108. To leave a message of personal condolence or for more information, visit www.forastiere.com.

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