CHICOPEE – Ellen M. Pray, 65, was Called Safely Home on Friday, February 21, 2025. She passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Holyoke on November 15, 1959, a beloved daughter of Lucille A. (Harnois) Pray of Chicopee and the late Harry E. Pray, Jr. who was Called Home on January 28, 2024. She grew up in the Aldenville section of Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School, and later moved to Arlington, VA where she received her associate’s degree from NVCC. She loved singing with her sisters and enjoyed the arts, PBS, and visiting museums. One of her greatest joys in life was listening to the US Marine Corps Band and exploring Washington, DC with her family and friends. She had a special place in her heart for her two pet cockatiels, Sammy and Sal. She will also miss her beloved “granddog” Rocket Sprocket. In addition to her beloved mother, Lucille, she leaves her two loving and devoted children, Leah C. Torres and her partner, Michael Boback, of Arlington, VA, and Christopher S. Torres and his wife, Pamela, of Sterling, VA; her five dear siblings, Harry E. “Chip” Pray, III and his wife, Brenda Ducette, of Springfield, Gregory J. Pray of Holyoke, Celeste A. Turner and her husband, John, of East Bridgewater, Lauren J. Pray and her wife, Allison, of Methuen, and Donna M. Tapp and her husband, Jeffrey, of Chicopee; her loving Aunt, Elaine F. Scott of Chicopee; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and extended family members. Ellen took great pride in donating blood throughout her life, so her last selfless gift on earth was the donation of her two kidneys. Her funeral will be held on Monday morning, March 3, 2025 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her inurnment will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday morning March 3, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. before the Mass. Her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to Saint Joan of Arc School, 587 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 or to Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry, 170 Pendexter Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01013. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
