Rita Briere

HOLYOKE- Rita Briere passed away on Friday, June 6, 2014 at Mount Saint Vincent Care Center surrounded by her loving family. Rita was born in Holyoke on May 19, 1927 to the late Philip Hebert and Osina Jette. She married Norman Briere, who passed away in 1997. Rita was an adoring wife, devoted mother and doting grandmother. She was a homemaker for many years, caring for her eight children before working at Masse’s Fish Market, Liberty Bakery, and Stop and Shop, from which she retired. Rita enjoyed the company of friends, knitting and crocheting, and playing cards, including pitch and cribbage. Rita was predeceased by her son Donald Briere, who leaves his wife Kathleen; by her son-in-law William Piersol II; by her two brothers, Roland and Donald Hebert; and by her stepmother Adrienne Hebert. Rita is survived by her loving children; Daniel Briere and his wife Judy Pollack of Indianapolis, IN, Gail Briere of Orleans, Carol Szlachetka and her husband Stanley of West Springfield, Sandra Blasioli and her husband Dominick of Westfield, Norman Briere II and his spouse Jaime Coronado of Washington DC, Dean Briere and his spouse Jeffery Ange of Phoenix, AZ, and Kymberlee Schillinger and her husband Leo of Grafton; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many treasured nieces, nephews and cousins. Services for Rita will be Wednesday, June 11 at 9 AM at Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St., Chicopee followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 56 St. Anthony St., Chicopee. Burial will be at Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley. Calling hours will be Tuesday, June 10 from 4-7 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Attn: Memorials and Honors Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.