SPRINGFIELD - Virginia (D'Epagnier) Lynch, 96, of the East Forest Park section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, July 3, 2014. She passed into Eternal Life at the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home in Longmeadow surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family and her dedicated caregivers. She was born in Springfield on March 10, 1918, a beloved daughter of the late Edmund and Eva (French) D'Epagnier. She was a lifelong area resident and graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1937. Virginia was a dedicated communicant of Holy Cross Church in Springfield. She worked for several years at the Diamond Match Company. In her leisure time, she enjoyed family celebrations with her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful homemaker to her family and showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John J. Lynch, Jr. who was Called Home on August 3, 1968; and her loving son, James A. Lynch who was Called Home one month later on September 3, 1968 at the age of 13. Virginia and John were married on November 8, 1947 in Holy Name Church in Springfield and raised their children on Gillette Avenue in Springfield. Following the passing of her husband and son, Virginia courageously guided her four surviving children through a very difficult time. She continued to provide them with a loving home and a Catholic education. Ginny, Cecelia and Tim would follow their brother Jack and graduate from Cathedral High School, as her husband John did in 1937. She leaves her loving children, Jack Lynch and his wife, Sally of Cape Coral FL, Ginny Cesan and her husband, Douglas of Feeding Hills, Cecelia Gilbert and her husband, Wayne of East Longmeadow and Timothy Lynch of Feeding Hills; her dear former daughter in-law, Charlotte Lynch of Feeding Hills; her eight cherished grandchildren, Michael Lynch of Wilbraham, James Lynch and his fiancée, Amanda Hendrix of Springfield, Matthew Schmaelzle and his partner, Jennifer Russo of Blackstone, MA, Daniel Schmaelzle of East Longmeadow, Bryant Cesan of Feeding Hills, Jonathan Cesan of Feeding Hills, Kathryn Lynch of Amherst and Kimberly Lynch of Waterbury, VT; her two cherished great-grandsons, Cameron Schmaelzle of Blackstone, MA and Owen Lynch of Springfield; her dear brother, Ret. US Navy Commander William D'Epagnier of Boulder, CO; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Lynch and D’Epagnier families. Besides her parents, husband, and son, she was also predeceased by her loving son-in-law, Larry Harbeson who was Called Home on January 11, 2006; and her dear sister-in-law, Jane D’Epagnier. Her family would like to thank the staff at the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home who so lovingly cared for her since 2003; and her special caregiver, Deb Lavoie for her many years of dedicated care during her long Journey Home. Her funeral will be held on Friday morning, July 11, 2014 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Cross Church, 219 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01118. Her burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, July 10, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Jewish Geriatric Services, Inc., Development Office, 770 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com