SOUTHWICK – Jo-Ann (Hawley) Chaffee, 63, died Tuesday, October 24, 2017 in Baystate Medical Center. She was born on April 27, 1954 in Westfield to the late David and Eleanor (Greenwood) Hawley. She grew up in Montgomery, attended local schools and was a 1972 graduate of Gateway Regional High School. Jo-Ann worked at the Big Y for the past 31 years. She leaves her husband of 40 years James A. Chaffee, her children Diana Kopecky of N.C., Melissa Chaffee of Southwick, Jennifer Dennis of Agawam and James Chaffee, Jr. of Chicopee, her grandchildren Sabrina, Jasmine, Dylan, R.J., Nick, Logan and D.J., her siblings Jane Hawley of Westfield, Laura Lombardini of Westfield, Robert Hawley of Chicopee, Martie Cortis of Russell and David Hawley of Westfield. She also leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her brother Chip Hawley of Las Vegas in 2009. Her family would like to thank the Southwick Fire and Police Dept. as well as the nurses at Baystate Medical Center for the exceptional care and compassion that was given to Jo-Ann.
A celebration of life for Jo-Ann will be held on Monday, October 30th from 4-7 pm at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. A service will follow at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jo-Ann may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
