WESTFIELD: Louise Maire Fleming passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Arbors in Westfield with her family by her side. She was born on
February 28, 1916 in Easthampton, MA to the late Ely and Anna (Wagner) Mesh. She attended local schools and attended Cooley Dickinson Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She also went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree from Boston University and attended graduate school at Westfield State College and University of Maryland. Louise worked for many years before World War II at Cooley Dickinson Hospital as a staff nurse, head nurse, supervisor, clinical instructor, and Red Cross instructor of nurse’s aides. When World War II broke out, she enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps at Lovell hospital and overseas in Italy. She was later promoted to Captain in the army of the United States in 1948. After the war Louise served as Educational Director at the Veterans Administration Fort Howard, Baltimore, Maryland. Also, taught Advanced Nursing Education extension courses from University of Maryland at Fort Howard. She then became a teacher of Special Education for 16 years at West Springfield High School and retired in 1981. In 1989, she was chosen for the West Springfield Wall of Fame by the West Springfield teachers and school committee. Louise was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in West Springfield and served as its first women president in 1979. She was a member of the Massachusetts Hampden County and Retired Teachers Association.
Louise was married to the late Robert Fleming. She leaves her son Robert and daughter-in-law Sherry Fleming of East Hampton, Connecticut. She also leaves great-nephews Christopher and Robert Wild and great-niece Lorelei Mason. Louise was also predeceased by her sister Esther Mesh and Edith Wild.
The funeral for Louise will be on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 11:30AM in the Grace Lutheran Church, 1552 Westfield St., West Springfield, MA 01089 with burial to follow in Pine Hill Cemetery Westfield. Her calling hours will precede the service from 9-11AM in the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., Westfield, MA 01085. In lieu of flowers, donations in Louise’s name may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund. Masks are requested to be worn through the services. www.firtionadams.com
