Eliza Simard
SPRINGFIELD - Eliza J. (Knight) Simard, 80, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Friday, December 27, 2013. She passed into Eternal Life from her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family and all the memories she loved and treasured. She was born in Huntington, Vermont on February 3, 1933, a beloved daughter of the late William and Hazle O. (Walton) Knight. She was raised and schooled in Huntington, Vermont and moved to Burlington, Vermont around 1947 where she lived until moving to Springfield around 1972. In the 1960's, Eliza and her late husband, Gilles, established Simard Signs and Supplies, which they co-owned and operated for many years before changing the name to Simard Advertising Specialties. Eliza and her late husband, Gilles, enjoyed RVing and traveled in their motor home to many States and Canada. Most of all, Eliza was a wonderful homemaker to her large family and showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her dear brothers, William, Clayton, Stanley, Edward 'Skeeter', Robert, Emory and David Knight; her dear sisters, Hazle Smith and Sally Walters; her loving son, Milford 'Duffy' Bushey, who was Called Home on December 14, 2010; her step-daughter, Susan Bessette; and her beloved husband and best friend of 47 years, Gilles O. Simard who was Called Home on September 21, 2012. She leaves her loving daughters, Mary Jane DeFino of Michigan, Marda Bushey of Las Vegas, Nevada, Marsha Shappy and her husband, Bruce, of Springfield, Marian Rainville and her husband, Elliott, of Springfield, Margie Grenier of Maryland, Ann Douglas and her husband, Michael, of Chicopee, Sally Simard of Springfield; and Yvette Simard and Laura Demers, both of Chicopee; her step-daughter, Joan Tessier and her husband, Bob, of Florida; her loving daughter-in-law, Cindy Bushey of Wisconsin; her dear sister, Marion 'Nan' Benker of New York; her 18 cherished grandchildren; her 19 cherished great-grandchildren; and her many dear nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, cousins and extended members of the Simard and Knight families. Her relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the St. Pierre & Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 on Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. which will be followed by a Prayer Service in the funeral home at 4:30 p.m. Her burial will be private at a later date at Maplewood Cemetery in Huntington, VT. Her family has requested that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, (Specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.
1933 - 2013 (80 years)
