CHICOPEE – Robertina M. “Ruby” (Sweeney) Lafond, 86, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday March 19, 2012 from Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family and caregivers. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland on December 30, 1925, a beloved daughter of the late James and Elizabeth (Sweeney) Young. She was raised and schooled in Scotland, moved to Holyoke in 1946, became a United States citizen in 1949, then moved to Fairview in 1955 where she resided the rest of her life. In her earlier years, she was employed at the Winfield Hat Shop in Holyoke and was a waitress at the River Lodge in South Hadley. Later, she was a nurse’s aide at the Willimansett Nursing Home in Chicopee and later at the Pine Manor Nursing Home in Springfield where she retired in 1994. Ruby enjoyed to bowl with her family and friends. She adored her family and showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. She was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and best friend, Clement J. Lafond, who was Called Home on July 31, 2008. They were married in Glasgow, Scotland on April 6, 1946 and were blessed with over 62 years of happiness together. She was also predeceased by her loving daughter, Barbara S. Giernacky, who was Called Home on July 13, 1991. She leaves: her loving children, Ronald M. Lafond and his wife, Cecile and Lee A. Brinkley and her husband, Lester, all of Chicopee; her five cherished grandchildren, Scott Lafond and his wife, Melissa, Eric Lafond and his wife, Sherri, James Bartok, Jason Brinkley and his wife, Sara, and Trista Brinkley; her five cherished great grandchildren, Abigail Lafond, Rose Segara, Zachary Lafond, Evan Brinkley and Brennan Brinkley; and her dear nephew and two dear nieces. Her funeral will be held on Thursday morning, March 22, 2012, beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (funeral home will open at 8:15 a.m.) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will be private at the convenience of her family. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family has requested that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the charity of the donor’s choice. For online guest book and directions, please visit www.stpierrephaneuf.com