Hope P. (Pfersick ) Cantell, 85, of Springfield, MA, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2018, with her family by her side and being thankful to have this past month to let her know how much she was loved. Hope was born in Freeport, NY, on July 1, 1933, to the late Walter and Mary (Smith) Pfersick. At age 4, her family moved to Westfield, MA where she attended local schools. She graduated (Pro Merito Honor Society) from Westfield High School in 1951 with the highest marks in the business department. She lived in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alexandria (Newfound Lake), NH, from 1989 – 2000. In 2001, she moved to The Villages, FL, before moving in 2013 to Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield. Upon graduation from high school, Hope worked at United Co-Operative Bank in Westfield and was active in the Westfield community serving as a board member of the Westfield Woman’s Club; Chairman of the Woman’s Club Junior Volunteer Services; trustee of Noble Hospital Board of Directors; member and volunteer of Noble Hospital Auxiliary; Chairman of 1969 Noble Hospital Ball; a corporator of The Sarah Gillette Home for Aged People; a board member of the American Red Cross Greater Westfield Chapter; Secretary and Treasurer of the Valley Sports Car Club; and a member of the Sports Car Club of America. She was the owner and operator of the 1776 Spirit Shop in Yankee Village in Westfield from 1976 – 1983 and then was a realtor with Stearns & Yerrall from 1985 – 1989. She was a member of The Villages’ Duplicate Bridge Club and American Contract Bridge League and enjoyed playing bridge, Mah Jongg, golf, tennis, doing crossword puzzles, as well as going out for dinner on weekends, traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed teaching and playing cards with her granddaughters always playing to win. Hope was predeceased by her husband of 33 years, Richard L. Cantell, who passed away in 2004; her friend Charles Grant of The Villages; her brother, Walter; and cat, Tuxie. She leaves her daughters Cyndee Button (Stan) of Big Sky, MT; Donna Pease of Chelmsford, MA; and Andrea Moller of West Springfield, MA; six granddaughters: Kendra Button, Carolyn Parker, Avalon and Mariah Livernois, and Elizabeth and Jennifer Moller; and four great-grandchildren: Calvi and Whit Parker and Sadie and Bodie Goldstein. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held this May in Westfield and the details will be shared as time gets closer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241-4238. Firtionadams.com
