Laurel S. Stachura

Laurel S. (Demers) Stachura, 77, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, as a result of complications due to COVID. She was born in Holyoke to the late Ernest and Ida (Micheli) Demers. Laurel graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School and went on to graduate from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in 1969 and with a master’s degree in 1991.

Laurel was a teacher and guidance counselor at Chicopee Comprehensive High School for 34 years until her retirement in 2004. She was an active member of REAM, Retired Educators Assn. of MA, for many years. Laurel had a passion for horses; riding, driving and caring lovingly for several in her lifetime. Laurel also enjoyed traveling, especially to the Olympic games in Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Vancouver, and London. She loved knitting, admiring the birds at her bird feeders and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. Laurel will be sadly missed by her husband Walter Stachura of Wilbraham, daughter Amy Brown and her husband Steven of Ludlow, sister Pamela Mutty and her husband Marc of ME, grandchildren; Lillian and Connor Brown and nieces and nephew; Erin and Sean Leddy and Megan Bosarge. Laurel’s Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 20th at 11:00 AM at St. Cecilia Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham. An hour of visitation will precede the Mass from 9:30-10:30 AM at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Therapeutic Equestrian Center, 537 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA 01040. The family wishes to thank the medical staff of the Intermediate Care Department at Baystate Medical Center and the staff and therapists of Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital.