SOUTHWICK – Mabel B. Lemieux, 102, (1920-2023) passed away peacefully on May 19th, 2023. Born in West Springfield MA, October 24th, 1920, to the late Noble and Rose (Foisey) Bovat. She grew up and attended schools in Southwick and West Springfield, graduating from West Springfield High School in 1938. After graduation, she married Benjamin Feist with whom she shared 28 loving years. They lived in NYC and later moved back to Southwick MA where they built their first home. She began working at the Chain Belt Company and later Kaman Aircraft (retiring in 1982). They would have three daughters together: Jean, Joyce, and Judy (predeceased). Mabel was a devoted mother balancing the needs of her children while maintaining a full-time job. Mabel was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, member of the Rosary Alter Society and member of the Southwick Women’s Club. She loved baking and is famous for her banana bread and apple pies as well as cake decorating. She loved bowling and participated for many years in local leagues. Most of all, she loved hosting company, and no one ever left Mabel’s gatherings hungry. She loved telling stories about her century of living; amongst them, saving her family from a house fire and later deemed a local hero. She attributes her longevity to eating bread and peanut butter. She enjoyed vacations to Bermuda, California, England, Germany, and Hawaii, which she was able to visit six times. Mabel’s life was truly full of incredible experiences. However, her life could be best defined by her love for others. She had a gift for making everyone feel special and a part of her family. Mabel brought light and joy to everyone who had the good fortune of knowing her. She was a remarkable, loving woman who demonstrated her care for others in every facet of her life.
She is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her daughters Jean Walsh (Thomas), Joyce LaPoint (Donald predeceased), Andy Roche and sons Peter Roche (Linda) and Paul Roche (Elaine). She also leaves her cherished grandchildren Kim Cigal (John deceased), Thomas (Jen) and Brian (Amy) Walsh, Steven and Christopher (Jen) LaPoint, Johnathan (Kerri) and Michael Roche, Corey, Colleen, Colin and Maura Roche. In addition, she leaves her fourteen great-grandchildren and many special godchildren, nieces, and nephews.
She was predeceased by husbands Benjamin Feist, Ernest Roche and Clifford Lemieux. Her siblings Elizabeth Perry, Edward Bovat, Lawrence Bovat, and Annabelle Dorward.
Her funeral will be held on Thursday at 9 a.m. from Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., Westfield followed by a liturgy of Christian burial at 10:30 in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Sheep Pasture Rd., Southwick. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home. Donations can be made to Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield MA 01104 or St. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. www.firtionadams.com.
