Online Obituaries

Jeannette L. (Fleming) Costa, 88, of Chicopee, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center.  Jeannette was born on November 8, 1932 in Holyoke.  She was educated at Clarke School for the Deaf.  She was the founder of Deaf Ministry and an avid volunteer and advocate for deaf rights.  She served her community as a Eucharistic minister.  She helped to establish the HCC Deaf Studies program and was recognized by the Quota Club.  She loved traveling, the beach, a challenging jigsaw puzzle, and dogs, but mostly spending time with her family and friends.

She was the daughter of the late Rouloff J. and Lucille A. (Caouette) Fleming.  Jeannette was predeceased by her husband, Antonio J. Costa, sisters, Marie “Cookie”, Eileen and a brother, Raymond “Bob”.  She is survived by her sons, Francis Costa of Hampton, NH, Thomas Costa and his wife Amy of Feeding Hills, and Glen Costa and his wife, Teresa of Chicopee; her daughter, Nancy Houghton and her husband, Steven of Springfield;  her brother, James Fleming, her sister, Constance Rock; four grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Jeannette’s funeral will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2021 from the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East St. in Chicopee at 9 am followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in St. Anne’s Church, 30 College St. in Chicopee  at 10 am.  Burial is in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fuller Rd. in Chicopee.  Calling hours are on Wednesday from 3 to 7 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jeannette’s memory can be made to the Ministry with the Deaf c/o Mary Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd. Springfield, MA 01104 or to NEADS, P.O. Box 1100, Princeton, MA 01541 or by visiting the neads.org website.