Miss Gerri Richards was a Guidance Counselor at Gateway Regional High School for 17 years. In those 17 years, she helped
many students onto their careers after high school. She is missed by all who knew her, whether it was her family or the
students or staff that she worked with. Here's the obit (published in the Republican on September 20, 2003):
Gerrilyn A. Richards 1952 - 2003
WESTFIELD - Gerrilyn A. Richards, 51, of Westfield was Called Home to God
on Wednesday September 17, 2003. She was employed for 17 years as a Guidance Counselor at the Gateway Regional High School
in Huntington, MA where she also served as the Crisis Team Chairman. She previously worked for five years as a Guidance Counselor
and Special Education Coordinator at the Holyoke Street School and later at the Hopkins Academy in Hadley, MA. She was also
a 22 year Counselor for the Westbrook Services in Westfield where she was honored as employee of the month for her outstanding
performance and dedicated service. She was born in Holyoke on February 26, 1952 a beloved daughter of Gerard P. and Doris
M. (DuBois) Richards of Chicopee. She lived in Southwick and West Springfield before moving to Westfield in 1999. She graduated
from St. Joan of Arc Elementary School in Aldenville and Cathedral High School in Springfield. She later graduated from Salem
State Teachers' College where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She later received her Master's Degree Cum
Laude in Guidance and Psychology from Springfield College and was appointed a Teaching Fellow where she served as an Administrative
Assistant to the Department Chairman. She was a member of the American Personnel and Guidance Associations, Amnesty International
and the International Rescue Committee. She was a communicant of Saint Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville. She was predeceased
by her loving sister, Diane M. Richards Duprey who was Called Home on May 3, 2002. Besides her loving parents, she leaves
her loving brothers, Bruce P. Richards of Holyoke and Mark K. Richards of Westfield. Her dear nephews, Keith M. Richards and
Scott G. Richards both of Westfield. Her dear niece, Kimberly Graham and her husband Ronald of Chicopee. Her cherished great-nephews,
Michael, Zachary and Tyler Quinn. Her dear aunt, Pearl M. Hayes of Destin, FL. Her family and friends are invited to attend
her Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday morning September 23, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan
Street in the Aldenville section of Chicopee. Her burial will follow the Mass at Saint Rose Cemetery on Olsen Street in Aldenville.
There are no visiting hours. Her funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the St. Pierre Aldenville Funeral Chapels, 13
Dale Street in Chicopee. For those that prefer to make a donation, they may be made in her memory to the Gerri Richards Memorial
Scholarship Fund, c/o Gateway Regional High School, 12 Littleville Road, Huntington, MA 01050 or to the Saint Joan of Arc-Saint
George School Fund, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Published in The Republican on 9/20/2003.
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