Bridie Monaghan

Bridie Monaghan, 77, of the Sandy Hill section of Chicopee passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. A beloved daughter of the late Patrick and Bridie (Cahillane) Grummell, Bridie was raised in the small village of Murreigh, BallyDavid, County Kerry, Ireland. At age 16, she left her home, bound for the United States and eventually settled in Chicopee. She worked as a waitress at Vincent’s Steakhouse in West Springfield and The Riverboat Restaurant in South Hadley before spending many years serving as a reliable and trusted housekeeper. She had a reputation as a hard worker and was always on the move and keeping busy. Proud of her Irish heritage, Bridie loved meeting up with friends and family at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club to sing and dance the night away. She had a quick wit, a great sense of humor and her laughter could fill up a room. She also was a faithful listener of the Irish Hour and the Healy’s Irish Program each weekend. Devout in her faith, Bridie was a familiar face at Holy Name Church and spent many years cooking meals for Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen. Her greatest love was her family and having them gathered together making memories and enjoying her homemade feasts. Bridie was a proud grandmother and never missed a chance to be present for all their activities and milestones. When she wasn’t tending to everyone else, you were sure to spot her taking daily walks throughout the neighborhood. Bridie was predeceased by her beloved husband and best friend, Michael Joseph Monaghan, who died on December 22, 2020. They were married on November 26, 1966 at Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield and blessed with over 54 years of happiness. She leaves her four loving sons, Patrick of Pittsfield, Michael and his wife, Laurie, of Feeding Hills, John Joe and his wife, Kristen, of Monson, and Stephen of Pittsfield. One loving daughter, Eileen and her partner, Jason, of Chicopee. She also leaves nine cherished grandchildren, Kyle and Connor Monaghan, Aidan Monaghan, Ryan, Meghan and Ciara Monaghan, Kevin Naylor, Ashley Rouleau and Kathleen Brooks. She also leaves three sisters, Eileen Brophy of Murreigh, Ireland, Eilis Hoey of Dublin, Ireland and Kathleen Devane of Bronx, NY, her dear sisters-in-law Bridie Ritter of Palmer, Cecelia Monaghan of Chicopee, Mary Curran of England, Sheila Conway and her husband Harold of Florida, a dear brother-in-law, Frank Ginty of England and many dear nieces and nephews and extended family in the US, Ireland and England. She was predeceased by her brother John Grummell and his wife Kathleen, her sister Mary O’Donnell, dear brothers-in-law Tom Brophy, James Devane, Ronald Ritter, John Joe Monaghan, and Paddy Monaghan and wife Mary, and her dear sister-in-law, Ann Ginty. Calling hours for Bridie will be held on Wednesday, August 25, from 4 to 7pm at the Corridan Funeral Home, 333 Springfield St., Chicopee. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, beginning from the funeral home at 9:00am, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial taking place at 10:00am in Holy Name Parish, 94 Springfield St., Chicopee, with burial to follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery. To leave your condolences or share a memory with the family, please visit www.CorridanFuneral.com