Phyllis V. Vanasse

"Belchertown-Phyllis Victoria Vanasse, age 68, of Belchertown, MA, passed away at home on Sunday, February 17, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer. Phyllis was born March 18, 1944, in Ludlow, MA, daughter of the late Frederick A. and Victoria M. (Wcislo) Kozyra. A 1962 graduate of Ludlow High, she continued her education at American International College in Springfield, MA. After graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration, Phyllis returned to Ludlow High School, this time as an educator, where she spent the next 33 years teaching before retiring in 2001. In her spare time, Phyllis was an avid reader. She enjoyed cheering for New England's sports teams, quilting and working in her flower garden. She was a practical joker who loved spending time laughing with friends and family, especially her six-year-old grandson, Matthew, the apple of her eye and her right-hand man in the kitchen, Grammy's ace cookie taster. Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Edmund Vanasse, her two sons, Lawrence and his wife Gina Vanasse of Belchertown, MA, Jeffrey Vanasse of Hadley, MA, her daughter Laurie Vanasse of Ludlow, MA, her grandson, Matthew Vanasse of Belchertown, MA, and her brother, Frederick Kozyra of Brimfield, MA. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Beers & Story Funeral Home, 10 Maple Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. The funeral/memorial service will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis' memory may be made to VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton, MA or cancer research. For details, visit www.beersandstory.com"