Catherine M. HORAN

SPRINGFIELD - Catherine M. (Horan) Lessard, 81, a resident of Springfield for most of her life, died late Sunday afternoon at the Chestnut Hill Nursing Home of East Longmeadow. She was born in Springfield, the daughter of the late Christopher and Margaret (Bagshaw) Horan. Catherine was educated from the Lowell, MA, Public School System and was a graduate of Lowell High School. She was a parishioner of Holy Cross Church and is survived by her husband of 60 years, Maurice C. Lessard of Springfield. Catherine leaves two sons, Fred J. Lessard of Springfield; and Kenneth C. Lessard and his wife , Lucille of East Longmeadow; one daughter, Mary J. Praetz and her husband , Paul of Deerfield, six grandchildren, Erik C. and Susan M. Praetz, Brian M., Renee M. and Aimee K. Lessard, and Colette M. Lessard, one great granddaughter, Christene S. Praetz, as well as several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Her funeral will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. from Sampson's Chapel of the Acres, 21 Tinkham Rd., followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Cross Church, both in Springfield, with Rites of Committal to conclude at the Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Agawam. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. and contributions in her memory may be directed to Baystate Visiting Nurse Assoc., & Hospice, 50 Maple St., P.O. Box 9058, Springfield, MA, 01102 - 9058. Published in The Republican on 12/20/2005.