Kathleen S. Pierson

"Belchertown - Kathleen S. Pierson , 68, died on August 17 at home where she had been lovingly cared for by her family. She was born on February 24, 1945 in Springfield, MA, and was the daughter of Eugene and Sheila (Collins) Donovan. "I was raised in East Longmeadow along with two older sisters and a younger brother and sister. The five of us enjoyed all the normal things that went along with our Irish Catholic upbringing. I liked school and had many friends and lots of cousins so life was busy and crowded at times. I loved some quiet time out in the back yard where we had some beautiful apple trees. I have always enjoyed seeing apple trees and old barns whenever I've been out and about. In my teen years I developed a rare form of bone cancer that resulted in the need for a below the knee leg amputation. As devastating as that was, I managed to keep my good wit and charm, continuing a life of normalcy; if there is such a thing. I attended Our Lady of the Elms College and earned my degree in Social Work. Over the years I have worked in various capacities utilizing my degree to help others. I have done case management and direct services in the field of Mental Health, the most recent being at River Valley Counseling Services in Holyoke, MA. I had also worked in the Belchertown School System tutoring students in Remedial Reading and Math. I always loved running into these students years later and seeing their success. Throughout all of this I met the Man-of-my-dreams, Bill, and we've been married some forty-something years; we have both lost track or got tired of counting! This brings me to Julie and Jennifer, my two wonderful daughters-and they really are wonderful. Bill says it is because they have a great role model for a mother. I'll let it go at that. As my good life continued, I was blessed with two Grandsons, Gus (Gustav) and Ollie (Oliver). They bring great joy and I am lucky that they live near-by. I love outings with family and I am willing to go just about anywhere. I am somewhat artistic and have dabbled in many crafts over the years. Some examples are stained glass, cornhusk dolls, sewing and making polydome Christmas Ornaments. I am athletic and have always enjoyed pick-up games of softball and volleyball and I especially love swimming, perhaps because I am a Pisces, born in February. Some years ago I took a Karate Course here in town and happily earned belts at a few different levels. I love music and dance and maybe in part because I did meet Bill at a dance those many years ago. I love holidays, especially Christmas and I look forward to whatever life has to offer while I can" Kathleen S (Donovan) Pierson. Kathleen will be fondly remembered by her husband of 45 years, William Pierson, and their two daughters, Julie Gerlach and her husband Noah and Jennifer Pierson, along with their two precious grandchildren, Gustav and Oliver all of Chicopee. Her sister, Jeannie Donovan of Beverly, MA, and her brother, William Donovan and his wife Joyce of East Longmeadow and in-laws, Frederick Pierson and his wife Cynthia of Easthampton, Stephen Pierson and his wife Shirley of Belchertown, Carol Ann Houle and her husband Richard of Holyoke and Constance Gravel of Holyoke along with many nieces and nephews also survive her. Besides her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Louise Rubins and Patricia Shimkus. A memorial service will be on Saturday, September 7 at 3:00 p.m. at Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, 10 Maple St., Belchertown, MA. A calling hour from 2:00 -3:00 p.m. will precede the service. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to, The Belchertown Senior Center, Supportive Day Program, 60 State Street, Belchertown, MA 01007 or The Holyoke Geriatrics Adult Day Health, 45 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke, MA 01040 . "