Valda Elsie Ducharme

Holyoke- Valda Elsie (Cavalli) Ducharme, 98, passed away peacefully Monday, May 23, 2016 at her home. She was born in New York City, NY on March 13, 1918, the daughter of the late Charles R. Cavalli and Elsie K. (Fidler) Cavalli. Valda was educated in New York and was a graduate of Harriman High School and later attended the IBM business school in NYC. She also did modeling for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar Magazines. She married Henry Pare Ducharme on October 23, 1943 in the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Our Lady’s Chapel in New York City. Valda was a devoted homemaker for her family and later in life worked as a receptionist at the Buckley Nursing Home and there she made many friends. Valda enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and spending time with her family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Henry Pare Ducharme in 1968. She is survived by her children, Robert P. Ducharme and his wife Jeanne, of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; David P. Ducharme and his wife Carol of Southampton, MA; Denys C. Ducharme and his wife Marianne, of Springfield, MA; Catherine V. Gould and her husband Larry of Calabash, NC; Colette M. Nolan and her husband Gerry of Caldwell, NJ; Stephen H. Ducharme of West Springfield, MA. “Gram” or “Gigi” will also be missed by her 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, and her special friend and care giver, Judy Marceau. She also leaves a step brother Charles Cavalli of West Palm Beach, FL. Her family would like to thank the Holyoke V.N.A and Hospice Life Care for their wonderful care given to Valda, especially, Natalya, Cecilia, Christine, and Sue. Life celebration services will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2016 from 4-7PM at Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Her funeral will begin on Friday at 8:45AM from Messier’s and be followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10AM in Our Lady of the Cross Church, Holy Cross Ave Holyoke. The Rite of Committal and Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, South Hadley, MA. Memorial donations in Valda’s name can be made to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or Homeless Cat Project, PO BOX 80256, Springfield, MA 01138. Please visit www.messierfuneralhome.com for more details.