Rita D Harnois

CHICOPEE- Rita “Tootsie” (Lavallee) Harnois, 83, passed away unexpectedly after surgery at Baystate Medical Center. She was born in Holyoke on June 16, 1932 a daughter of the late Roland and Dora (Wilmas) Lavallee and educated in Holyoke Schools. Tootsie was predeceased by her beloved husband Edward Harnois on December 31, 2005. She worked for many years in production at Springfield Photo Mount in Holyoke and later at Holyoke Hospital in the housekeeping and laundry departments. Tootsie is survived by her three children, a daughter, Debra Stone of Belchertown; her son, Edward Harnois III of Easthampton and a daughter Sandra Harnois of Holyoke. She will be missed by her six grandchildren, two great grandchildren and her sister, Doris Monfette of South Carolina. She also leaves several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to remember her. Tootsie now joins her grandson Edward J. Harnois IV who was already granted his angel wings. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 from 4-7PM at Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St., Chicopee, MA 01013. The funeral services will begin on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 9AM from Brunelle’s and followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:30AM in St. Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan St., Chicopee. The Rite of Committal and Burial will be in St. Rose de Lima Cemetery. Please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com for more details.