Anita J. Mcknelly

Anita J. McKnelly
1923 – 2008
HOLYOKE – Anita J. (Harnois) McKnelly, 85, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at the Holyoke Medical Center. She was born in Chicopee on February 14, 1923, to the late Edward J. Harnois Sr. and Angelina (Desmarais) Harnois. Anita attended West Springfield Schools and was a former parishioner of St. Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. Mrs. McKnelly served our country in the United States Army where she earned the American Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Anita worked for Hamilton Standard in CT and the former Sickles in Chicopee. Anita and her husband resided in the Willimansett section of Chicopee most of their life until they moved to Longwood, Fl in 1974. While in Florida, Anita truly enjoyed metal collecting and treasure hunting. In her free time, she would make doll clothes for all of the children in her neighborhood in Florida. She was very fond of dogs, especially toy poodles.  Anita was predeceased by her loving husband, Henry E. McKnelly, after fifty-eight years of marriage. She leaves to cherish her memory, two sisters-in-law, Anita Harnois and Rita Harnois; several nieces, nephews and many extended family and friends. She was also predeceased by six brothers, Rene, George, Joseph, Alfred, Edward Jr. and Donald; one sister, Beatrice Pike and one niece Vivian Harnois. A funeral procession will form on Monday, June 2, at 9:45 A.M. at the Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St, Chicopee. There will be a Service of Remembrance at 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Rose de Lima Cemetery in Chicopee. Calling hours will be Sunday, June 1 from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions, may be made in Anita’s memory, to either the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Program, P.O.Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250-0301 or to a charity of one’s choice that is associated with the Veteran’s. Please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com for an online guestbook.
Brunelle Funeral Home
413-532-7711