Susan Marie Papineau of Chicopee, age 82, passed away on September 21, 2026. She was born on May 11, 1944, in Holyoke to her parents Bernard F. and Jeannette T. (Yorgeau) Papineau. Susan grew up in Holyoke and attended an accelerated nursing program at Holyoke Community College where she earned her RN license in only two years. She had a long career as a nurse and she worked in many positions in hospitals, operating rooms, nursing homes as a charge nurse, and in-home healthcare. Susan loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and most recently her great granddaughter. She was always sociable and enjoyed hosting gatherings for friends and family. Susan was an avid reader, often reading multiple books in a week. She also had a few movies that she enjoyed watching repeatedly, including; Under the Tuscan Sun, Top Gun, and Top Gun; Maverick.

Susan was predeceased by her parents Bernard and Jeanette, and her brother Robert Papineau. She is survived by her longtime companion William “Bill” Philbrick of Chicopee, her sister Sr. Marguerite Papineau of Tucson, AZ, her son Alan Schirch and his wife Jane of Londonderry, NH, her daughter Nancy Keyes and her husband Paul of Agawam, her grandsons Stephen Schirch and his wife Kathy Niu, and Mitchell Schirch and his partner, Emma Lederer, her great-granddaughter Rheia Schirch, and nephews Michael Papineau, Jeffery Papineau, and niece Krys Hundley, and many dear cousins.

Friends and family are invited to visiting hours at the Messier Funeral Home at 1944 Northampton Street in Holyoke on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 9:00AM – 10:45AM; followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:00AM. Burial will be private at the discretion of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Susan’s name to the charity of your choice. Please visit messierfuneralhome.com to share remembrances and words of sympathy for the family.