Wales – Cecile B. (Bleau) Babcock, 101, formerly of Southwick, passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side on September 5, 2017. She was born February 22, 1916 in Springfield, the daughter of Theophile J. and Delia (Lussier) Bleau. Cecile was a graduate of Commerce High School. She lived in Southwick for 42 years before moving into the Palmer area in 1995. Her loving husband of 64 years, Bernard A. Babcock, Sr. passed away in 2003 upon which time Cecile moved in with her daughter Kathleen, where she had resided for the past 14 years. She was a former communicant of Our Lady of The Lake Church in Southwick and member of The Ladies Rosary Altar Society. After moving to the Palmer area, she attended St. Thomas Church. Mrs. Babcock worked as a Secretary for Berkshire Bank (formerly Woronoco Savings Bank) for over 20 years retiring in 1975. She also owned and operated Cecile’s Ceramic Studio in Southwick for many years. She was a lifetime member of the Pioneer Valley Ceramic Assoc. Cecile and Bernard enjoyed wintering in Riverview, Florida for over 20 years. She loved crocheting, knitting, crossword puzzles and square dancing. She is survived by three children, Bernard A. Babcock, Jr. and his wife Eileen of Corpus Christi, TX., Frances B. Allen and her husband Gary of Southwick and Kathleen C. Sacco of Wales. Affectionately known as “Old Grandma”, she also leaves ten grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; a great great grandson and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Cecile will be held on Monday, September 11, with a calling hour from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Beers and Story Funeral Home, 1475 Main St., Palmer followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Thomas Church, 1076 Thorndike St., Palmer. Burial will follow in New Cemetery in Southwick. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105. For more information or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.beersandstory.com.
