WHATELY - Lorraine Theresa Gemme (Lachapelle), passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, at the age of 99. She was born July 5,1927 in Holyoke Mass after her mother went into labor while watching the 4th of July fireworks. She attended Holyoke parochial schools. She left school in the 10th grade to take over household duties due to her mother’s early passing.

With the advent of WW II, she joined the war effort making hand grenades while still running the household. After the war she met her love Arthur L Gemme and they were married on June 14,1947. Their son Gary was born in 1952 and daughter Bonnie in1955. Bonnie was born with cerebral palsy and was cared for by Lorraine her entire life. Due to a lack of options available to mentally handicapped children at the time Lorraine and a small group of parents with similar children banded together and managed to envision, build and open Sunshine Village in Chicopee MA, which continues to this day as a service organization for people with a range of needs.

When her son began a commercial greenhouse and vegetable farm she began her new career as head seedling transplanter and vegetable sorter which she continued into her 80s. She developed a loyal fan base and made friends with many customers because her work was in a class by itself. Her passion was cooking and feeding whoever happened by. She often invited friends and family for meals and in return they had to play a few games of Phase Ten.

She is survived by her son Gary (Joan), her grandchildren Eric (Larissa) and Kristin (Scott), and great grandchildren Mila and Boden. She was predeceased by her husband Arthur, and daughter Bonnie; and her four brothers and three sisters: Richard, Armand, Albert, Harold, Cecile, Beatrice and Phyllis. A private celebration of her life will be held by the family. Donations in her memory may be made to Sunshine Village 75 Litwin Lane Chicopee, MA. 01020 / donations@sunshine.us