Loretta Parlengas, 93, passed away December 22nd at home in her favorite chair with her daughter by her side.  The youngest child of the late Eugenio and Umile (Barbi) Casci, she grew up in Holyoke and graduated from H.B. Lawrence and Holyoke High Schools. She lived in Chicopee for 30 years before moving to South Hadley and retired from Avery Dennison (National Blank Book) after 20 years of service.

Loretta was a mother extraordinaire to the light of her life, her daughter Linda Parlengas (Richard Connors) of Chicopee and a beloved aunt to her many nieces and nephews and their families: the Merciers, the Flahertys, the Larivees, the Bakers and the Parlengases.  She also leaves behind her dedicated, loving, home-health aides: April, Colleen, and Michele.  She was predeceased by her sisters Josephine Larivee and Gina Mercier and her former husband Angelo Parlengas.

Loretta was a good listener who possessed a quick wit.  She cultivated meaningful relationships with family members, friends, and her daughter's friends.  A woman of faith with the heart of a champion, she found ways to persevere whenever life threw her a curve.  An excellent athlete, she tried out for the All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League in the 1940s.  From DiMaggio to Jeter, she was a loyal Yankees fan.  She loved basketball - especially the Celtics, and often could be found shooting hoops in her backyard.  For years she kept a basketball in the trunk of her car "just in case." Among her many pleasures in life were candlepin bowling, bird watching, going to Misquamicut, and listening to Frank Sinatra.

Calling hours at the O'Brien Family Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St., South Hadley, will be Friday, January 5th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Family and friends will meet Saturday at St. Patrick's Church at 11:00 a.m. for the funeral mass.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Halfway Home Cat Rescue, Inc, P.O. Box 614, Chicopee, MA, 01021.