Marcella "Marsha" Cecile Richards passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at Holyoke Medical Center on Friday, July 25 surrounded and held by her loved ones. She was born in Springfield on 11/2/20 to the late Godfrey and Regina (Patenaude) Brunelle and was raised in Chicopee. For the past 54 years, she resided in Holyoke. She attended Chicopee schools and was employed at the former Winfield Hat Company in Holyoke and Champion International in Chicopee. Marsha was one of the best of that "greatest generation" with an incredible work ethic and a generous heart who gave freely of her time and talent to many. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren upon whom she lavished much attention and TLC. They were enriched by her unconditional love and will cherish her memory. She was a devoted mother - often called "our rock of Gibraltar" by her children -and was a second mother to her local grandchildren who adored her. She so enjoyed family vacations to Maine and special occasions with them and visits to her son and his family in California. She was an avid baker and crocheter and many were blessed with her culinary and handcrafted creations. She took great pride in her work and was especially proud when she made caps for newborns at Holyoke Hospital. There are countless individuals who have been touched by her kindnesses. She enjoyed playing Bingo at the Council on Aging at the War Memorial and Elmwood Towers and was a tough-to-beat card player. She always looked forward to birthday parties, picnics and the annual pre-Thanksgiving dinner at Elmwood Towers as well as the annual senior trip to Bright Nights. She was thrilled on the occasion of her 90th birthday with a surprise gathering of close family and friends. Marsha enjoyed a good quality of life right to the end which is a great comfort to her loved ones. She is survived by her daughter Cynthia Beauregard and husband Mark of South Hadley, MA and her son Robert and wife Candace (Dynok) of San Diego, CA. She also leaves her beloved grandsons Jeffrey and Gregory Beauregard of Northampton, MA and Steven Beauregard of San Francisco, CA who had just been "home" for a surprise visit in June. Marsha also leaves two granddaughters - Megan Barr of San Diego, CA and Meredith Whittaker of Encinitas, CA as well as two great grandsons in California, Russell and Robbie. She also leaves her sister Yvette Gibbs of Virginia, formerly of Chicopee, as well as many nieces and nephews. Six days before she passed, she had a wonderful visit by three out-of-state nieces after which pictures of her were posted on Facebook! She had a wonderful relationship with her niece Joyce (Klinke) Root of Easthampton who she loved like a daughter and was considered family by Mark's parents George and Doris Beauregard and their daughters, Beth Weaver of New York and Nancy Nastasi of North Carolina. She was predeceased by her sisters Rita Orlick and Christine Girard, brothers Raymond, Roger and Robert Brunelle and her former husband Roger Richards. The funeral will be held Friday morning at 9:30 AM from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton St., followed by Mass in Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:00 PM. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Providence Ministries 51 Hamilton St. Holyoke, MA 01040 or the Holyoke Senior Center 291 Pine St. Holyoke, MA 01040.