CHICOPEE – Rachel Alice (Joly) Desrosiers, 82, of the Willimansett Heights section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, August 8, 2020. She passed into Eternal Life at her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Easthampton on September 10, 1937, a daughter of the late Paul and Irene (Manseau) Jolly. She graduated from Easthampton High School in 1955 and moved to Chicopee in 1957. Rachel worked at Westover Air Force Base for several years and received a letter of commendation for “exceptional efficiency” from the Installation Engineering Department. She later worked for many years doing payroll for her husband’s business yet she always dreamed of being a nurse. While working and raising her youngest children, she followed her dream by studying nursing at Holyoke Community College. She received her degree in 1979 and received her professional license as a Registered Nurse later that year. She was first a nurse for a Medical Personnel Pool at many area hospitals and later at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and lastly at Providence Hospital in Holyoke where she worked for many years until the closing of the hospital. In addition to her working life, she found time to volunteer with the Girl Scouts, was a communicant and member of the Ladies of Saint Anne of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and carted her kids to sports, dance and music recitals. She loved playing the slot machines and often visited the casinos in Atlantic City and Connecticut with her husband. She also enjoyed spending her summer weekends camping with her family at their camper near Point Judith, Rhode Island. Rachel leaves her beloved husband and soul mate of 58 years, Robert A. Desrosiers; her four loving children, David Desrosiers and his wife, Ginette, of Granby, Denise Lewis and her husband, Paul, of Charlton, Robert Desrosiers of Holyoke and Donald Desrosiers of Chicopee; her six cherished grandchildren whom she adored, Tamara Jameson and her husband, William III, of Central New York, Claire Desrosiers of Granby, Adam Lewis and his wife, Ashleigh, of Holbrook, Ryan Lewis of Charlton, Harley Dougherty of Holyoke and Micah Elliott of Holyoke; her cherished great-grandson, William Jameson IV of Central New York; her sister, Therese Desmaris and her husband, John, of Easthampton; her brother, Roland Jolly of Easthampton; her brother-in-law, Richard Desrosiers and his wife, Lorraine, of Hadley; her sister-in-law, Lorraine Mainville of Florida; and her many nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her sister, Cecile Stedman of Chicopee; and her brother, Norman Jolly of Easthampton; and her favorite aunt and coffee companion, Alice Houle. Her family would like to thank her exceptional caregivers from Holyoke Visiting Nurse and Hospice Life Care for the compassionate care they provided to Rachel over the past weeks. Her funeral will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), the parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., (please note that masks are required and social distancing and state guidelines must be observed). In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to Sainte Rose de Lima Church c/o 15 Chapel Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave her family online condolences, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com