CHICOPEE – Gisele Joan of Arc (Lavallee) Mercier, 98, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. She passed into Eternal Life from her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Saint Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Canada on November 12, 1921, a beloved daughter of the late Philias J. and Lumina (Vincent) Lavallee. She was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Mount Carmel Grammar School and Chicopee High School, Class of 1940. She furthered her education and graduated in 1945 from the Holyoke Hospital School of Nursing where she was President of her class. She was employed as a nurse at Holyoke Hospital for many years and finished her nursing career in the Medical Department at the former James River Graphics in South Hadley. During her leisure time, she was an avid reader with an extensive library of books and was always willing to share her books with family and friends. She also filled many blank notebooks with special quotes and photographs that she proudly gifted to family and friends. Gisele’s love of butterflies was known to all and was known as “Madame Butterfly” to many. She had an extensive collection of butterfly pins that she also shared with family and friends. Active in her Catholic faith, she was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee where she served her parish as a Lector, was a member and officer of the Saint Anne Sodality Guild, and a member of the Marie Rivier Associates. She also volunteered for many years in the Saint Anne Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Program for which she received the Pope Pius X Award. She was involved with the Right of Initiation of Christian Adults and was a small group leader for the Renew Program at her church. She proudly initiated the building of the handicap ramp as well as being instrumental in implementing a hearing impaired Mass at the church. With the help of many devoted members, she was the editor for many years of Saint Anne’s newsletter, “The Grapevine”. Above all, she was a beautiful, loving and compassionate wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her cherished family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and best friend, Gerald R. “Murph” Mercier who was Called Home on January 1, 2013. They were married on July 21, 1945 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 67 years of happiness together. She leaves her six children, Michelle G. Greaves and her husband, Jack, of Easthampton, Paulette A. Mercier of Chicopee, Philip A. Mercier and his partner, Linda Lasorsa, of Longmeadow, Anne-Marie Provost and her husband, Albert, of Chicopee, Louise J. Mercier and her partner, Mark Lehman, of Montana, and Gerald R. Mercier of Chicopee; her daughter-in-law, Jennifer J. Mercier of Pittsfield; her six grandchildren, Jay Greaves and his wife, Than, A. J. Provost and his wife, Charity, Adam Provost and his wife, Wendy, Andrew Provost and his wife, Meaghan, Sherry Zink, and Alyssa Mercier; her ten great grandchildren, Grady and Lily Provost, Ethan, Joshua, Sophie, and Cody Provost, and Madison, Korey, Gabriel and Emma Zink; her great-great granddaughter, Josie; her sister-in-law and best friend, Merle Lavallee- Pollett of Danbury, CT; her two cherished goddaughters, Joy Kisling of Bethel, CT and Collette Sweeney of Springfield; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended members of the Mercier and Lavallee families and friends. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her son, Pierre A. Mercier who was Called Home on July 22, 2005; her brother, Vincent Lavallee; and her sister, Gabrielle Bergeron. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, September 4, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (please note that the Church has limited capacity, face masks must be worn and social distancing must be observed per state guidelines). Her burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details and to leave condolence messages for the family, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com