Louise M. Brushnefski

Louise M. Brushnefski, 95 of Holyoke, MA formerly of Plattsburgh, NY passed peacefully into our Lord's arms on March 24, 2017. Born October 9, 1921the eldest child of George S and Josephine (Donah) Brushnefski. Louise graduated from Chazy Central Rural School in 1938. She later attended Plattsburgh Normal School graduating with a teaching degree. She really wanted to be a cook because they made $60 per week at the time. But she got her degree and started teaching in a one room school house in Schuyler Falls. When the previous teacher returned from war and resumed his position she went to teach at the one room school house on Scomotion Creek. That started her thirty some years teaching career going from Monty Street to Oak Street and finally Bailey Avenue Schools from which she retired.

She was a devout Catholic and belonged to St. John the Baptist Church. Louise and her dear friend Rita Sullivan were instrumental in the establishment of Regina Maria Retreat House on Brinkerhoff Street and Christ Child Nursery on North Catherine Street in 1969. Later she became the Administrator of Regina Maria Retreat House and also cooked and had many other roles. She remained active in these ministries sponsored by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary until they closed in 2005.

She was loved by all. Never said a bad word about anyone and all spoke highly of her.

She leaves behind eleven nieces and nephews: Sandra (Gregory) Duquette, Susan (Ronald) Cahoon, Stephen (Lorraine) Brushnefski, Gary Brushnefski and Gregory Brushnefski, James (Carrie) Frenya, Howard (Wanda) Frenya Jr., Penny MacCallum Devost, James MacCallum, Gregory MacCallum and Timothy MacCallum and one sister-in-law Beatrice Brushnefski and many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. She also leaves family friends Toni Moffat and Gloria Trost and her dear friend of nearly fifty years, Rita Sullivan and all her friends from Marian Center in Holyoke, MA.

She was predeceased by her parents and all her siblings: H. Anne (Howard) Frenya, Joseph S Brushnefski, Veronica Brushnefski, A. June (Harvey) Filion, Barbara (Leo) MacCallum and two nephews: Donald Frenya and Jeffrey Filion.

The family wishes to thank Miriam Najimy and the staff at Marian Center in Holyoke, MA for the wonderful care she received over the past six years, especially these past few weeks. She always said she felt loved and respected there and knew that she made the right decision moving there in 2011.

Louise will be waked from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM Thursday, March 30, 2017 at St. John the Baptist Church in Plattsburgh. A Funeral Mass will follow at 3:00 PM. Burial will be later this year in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Chazy. After the mass a social will be held in the St John's Hospitality Room.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Heald Funeral Home, 48 Court Street, Plattsburgh.

To light a memorial candle or leave an online condolence please visit www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com