HOLYOKE – Rita A. (Fauteux) Geoffroy, 88, of Providence Place in Holyoke was Called Safely Home on Friday, February 28, 2025. She passed into Eternal Life at her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Holyoke on August 27, 1936, a beloved daughter of the late Oliver A. Fauteux and Emma J. C. (Van Mirlo) Fauteux. She was raised in Chicopee and grew up on the family farm on Burnett Road in Chicopee. Rita and her twin sister, Mia, were enrolled during their younger years at the Stanhope Convent Boarding School in Norton, Vermont. After her marriage, Rita and Arthur lived for many years on Oakwood Street in Chicopee before moving to Providence Place in August of 2022. For over 22 years, Rita and her husband, Arthur, were snowbirds and spent their winters in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Rita was first employed at the former A. G. Spalding Company in Willimansett and later worked as a lunch mom for the Chicopee School Department. She was last employed in the maintenance department at UMASS in Amherst. Rita loved being outdoors and enjoyed walking and taking care of her home and yard. Most of all, she loved her family and her many friends. She leaves her beloved husband and soul mate, Arthur E. V. Geoffroy. They were married on October 26, 1957 at Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 67 years of happiness together. Besides her husband, she leaves her four loving and devoted children, Marie E. Malloy and her husband, Gregory, of Windsor, CT, David A. Geoffroy and his wife, Marie, of Chicopee, Carol A. Debus and her husband, Gilbert, of Westfield, and John E. Geoffroy and his wife, Glenys, of Lampeter, UK; her six cherished grandchildren, Ashley Malloy and her companion, Avery, Hayley Malloy, Lucas Malloy and his companion, Michaela, Jessica Melaas and her fiancé, Eric, Rita Jacque and her husband, Jonathan, and Jake Geoffroy; her three cherished great-grandchildren, Liam Melaas, Gwenyth Hall and Lance Jacque; her dear twin sister, Mia Charland of Tempe, AZ ; her four dear brothers, Albert Fauteux of Monson, Fritz Hilbert of Wilbraham, Gary Fauteux and his wife, Joan, of Ware, and Steven Fauteux of West Springfield, her three dear sisters-in-law, Priscilla Welch of Chicopee, Joan Gagne of Granby and Carolyn Geoffroy of Pullman, MI; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her dear brother, Oscar Hilbert; her dear brothers-in-law, Patrick Welch, Richard Gagne and Robert Geoffroy. Her relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday morning, March 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Saint Joan of Arc School, 587 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
