Joyce Frechette, age 79, of South Hadley, MA, passed away peacefully on February 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Joyce was born in Holyoke, Ma on August 14, 1944, to the late Blanche Hager and Roland LaPointe. Joyce graduated from St. Jerome High School, Holyoke, MA in 1962. She met the love of her life, Robert Frechette, when she was 10 years old. They grew up as friends and later that friendship turned into a lifelong relationship. They were just shy of celebrating 60 wonderful years of marriage together. They have three beautiful daughters, Karen Johnson, husband Johnny Johnson, Lynn Carney, husband John Carney, and Robin Fleischer, husband Marc Fleischer. She also leaves behind 4 wonderful granddaughters, Alyssa McKeon (Luke Simon), Cassie McKeon (Michael Hollenkamp), Hannah Mckeon, and Morgan Fleischer as well as 2 great grandchildren, Teegan Hollenkamp and Owen Simon. She is survived by her siblings, William LaPointe, Marie Lucey, Roland LaPointe, Linda LaPointe, David Hager and Mark Hager.

Joyce worked as an insurance agent and retired from Neil and Neil Insurance in 2014. Joyce had a passion for cooking and baking. Her friends would always look forward to her famous apple cake and French meat pies. Joyce was an avid bowler and she and her husband were on a bowling league for many years. She loved to dance and would often "drag" people on the dance floor. Some of her hobbies were crocheting, knitting, and sewing.

Joyce's husband Robert is a member of The Melha Shriner Organization of Springfield and they both devoted over 20 years to the organization volunteering their time, preparing for and working many fundraising events to support the local Shrine Circus, marching in countless St. Patrick's Day Parades, and taking trips around the country and the world that they wouldn't have done otherwise. Joyce was also involved with the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America, where she found her own connection of camaraderie, social connection, and mutual interests with other women. LOSNA provides financial support and assistance to Shriners Hospitals for Children by way of fundraising events. Joyce was very dedicated to this organization and in 2012-2013 became High Priestess of LOSNA.

Joyce's life was full of love, life, and laughter. She had a huge heart and would lend a hand and open her home to those in need without hesitation.  She devoted her life to the ones she loved.  She will be dearly missed by all. We love you mom….

Calling hours at the O'Brien Family Funeral Home in South Hadley are Tuesday March 5th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral will be Wednesday March 6th at 9:00 am from the O'Brien Family Funeral Home followed by Mass in St. Theresa's Church at 10:00 am. Burial in St. Rose Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Western Mass, 800-272-3900, www.alz.org and BayState Hospice, 30 Capital Drive, West Springfield, Ma 01089, Attn: Hospice. For more information or to make online condolences please go to obrienfamilyfh.com.