Mary O’Connor Gelinas, age 86, passed away on March 13, 2025. Mary was born in Springfield, MA. She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1956 and later graduated from Bay Path College in Longmeadow. She married the love of her life, Richard D. Gelinas. They were married for 66 years and were blessed with five children. Together, Mary and Richard lived in Chicopee while building a beautiful “camp” in Hawley, MA. The camp was the center point for hunters, hikers, and tennis players, creating many fond memories with family and friends. While raising five children, she attended Elms College in Chicopee and received a degree in Social Work in 1985. Mary worked as a geriatric social worker and, following her retirement, continued her compassionate work as a hospice worker in the greater Springfield and Greenfield areas.
Mary had a myriad of hobbies! She loved nature, exploring the outdoors, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and was an avid tennis player. A few of the many special trips Mary cherished were biking in Holland, going on African safaris, fishing in the Arctic, and walking along the ocean in Ogunquit, Maine. Mary loved traveling with her husband in their RV. They ventured to Canada, explored the West Coast and Florida, to name a few.
Mary was predeceased by her mother and father, William and Kathryn (Walsh) O’Connor; her mother and father-in-law, Albert and Alvena (Plourde) Gelinas; her sisters-in-law, Joan Guardione, Louise O’Connor, and Elizabeth O’Connor; her brother-in-law, Robert Gelinas, and his wife, Judy; her brother-in-law, Roger Denault; and her nephew, Michael Guardione.
Mary leaves behind her husband, Richard; her daughter, Laurie Rowell, and her husband, Brian, of Saxtons River, Vermont; her son, Mark Gelinas, and his wife, Karen, of South Hadley, MA; her daughter, Susan Makowiecki, and her husband, Robert, of New Boston, NH; her son, James Gelinas, of Belchertown, MA; and her son, Stephan Gelinas, and his wife, Jennifer, of Westport, MA. Mary also leaves her three brothers, Bill O’Connor, of Rochester, Michigan; Paul O’Connor, and his wife, Cam Cummings, of Centerville, MA; and Robert O’Connor, of Springfield, MA. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Joyce Denault, of Chicopee; and her brother-in-law, Vincent Guardione, of Longmeadow.
Mary, aka “Grammy,” had 12 grandchildren: Annie, Amanda, Nadine, Ruth, Lauren, Matthew, Taylor, Abigail, Jack, Ellie, Lily, and Janey, and four great-grandchildren: Madeline, Ayla, Beatrice, and Eloise, whom she cherished and loved dearly. Feel free to wear green in honor of Mary and her Irish heritage. Small green shamrock pins will be provided.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 16th, from 2:00 – 5:00 PM at Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA, where we will honor Mary’s enduring impact on our hearts. The funeral will be held on Monday, March 17th, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at Ste. Rose de Lima Catholic Church. Burial will take place in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Chicopee, MA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations supporting hospice care in honor of Mary Gelinas to The Amedisys Foundation, at 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com.