Viola A (Courchesne) Donze

Viola A. Donze

1941 - 2020

CHICOPEE- Viola A. (Courchesne) Donze, 78, of Chicopee, passed away peacefully with her sons by her side, on April 13, 2020 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. Daughter of the late Paul and Fabiola (Rousseau) Courchesne, Viola was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts on December 12, 1941.  She attended St. George’s Catholic School in Chicopee Falls and graduated from Chicopee High School with the Class of 1959.

A dedicated employee, Viola began a 40-year career with “The Telephone Company” while she was still in high school. She worked primarily in the accounting department and witnessed the evolution of the company from AT&T, New England Telephone and Telegraph, Bell Atlantic, NYNEX, and Verizon.  Viola was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local # 2320 and the Telephone Company Pioneers of America.  She was also a member of the Women of Moose Club.  After retiring from Verizon, Viola worked part-time at Catholic Communications of the Springfield Diocese for 8-years and also with the City of Chicopee for nearly 15-years.

Until a recent move to South Hadley, Viola was a life-long resident of Chicopee.  She loved gathering with her family and friends and always looked forward to going on vacations. She was predeceased by her husband Paul Donze Sr. in 2011.  She leaves behind her two sons, Paul (PJ) Donze Jr. and his wife Darlene Donze of Chicopee; and Joseph (Joe) Donze and his wife Keri Chagnon-Donze of South Hadley.   Viola’s is survived by six grandchildren, Stefanie, Bryan, Brittany, Tayler, Jillian and Nathan who all brought her so much joy.  Viola is also survived by her two brothers and four sisters; Paul Courchesne and his wife Yvette of Chicopee; Donald Courchesne of Enfield CT; Claire Herbert of Chicopee; Doria Goshea and her husband Bob of Chicopee; Jeannette Kopec and her husband Fran of Enfield CT.; and Doris Bielitz of Southington CT.; Viola was also an adoring aunt to 31 nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their endless gratitude to Janet Chagnon, Keri Donze and the staff at Linda Manor LEP unit for the amazing care and compassion they showed to Viola over the past several years.

V isiting hours are Monday, August 10, 2020 from 8:30-10AM at Curran O’Brien Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St., South Hadley followed by a procession to the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery and conclude with a catholic chapel service at 11AM. In light of ongoing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, seating inside the Veteran’s Chapel is limited to immediate family, others may gather outside the chapel where the ceremony will be announced outdoors. Please visit www.lombardfuneralhome.com to share on line condolences, pictures, messages of love and hope to help the family throughout this challenging time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Viola’s memory to: Linda Manor, Life Enrichment Program - Activities, 345 Haydenville Road, Leeds MA, 01053.