Elissa Terrell

Elissa “Kandi” May (Taugher) Terrell passed surrounded by love on November 15, 2024 at the age of 90. Elissa was born in Holyoke and raised in South Hadley Falls. She married and moved to West Springfield in 1952 where she raised her 5 children.

Elissa was known to many as Kandi. Kandi loved being a mother and a Grammy. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her favorite job, besides being a mother, was being a baby doula. She believed a baby could not be spoiled by too much love. She hated for anyone to be in pain or upset. Her empathy was unmatched. Her favorite color was lavender, not purple. She would say she was born in “lavender diapers”. She loved walking first thing in the morning and loved any flower but her favorite was lilacs. She loved to make flower arrangements and give them to others to brighten their day. Her cheesecake was loved by anyone who had the pleasure of eating it. It was requested often for family occasions and still remains a favorite.

She was predeceased by her husband Jim Terrell and her first husband Raymond Bienia, her daughter Susan Leo and her grandson Raymond Bienia III.

She leaves behind her daughter Carolyn Corbin; daughter Debra Green and husband Richard; son Raymond Bienia II and wife Joanne; daughter Mary Holland and husband Joseph and her sister Nancy Tanguay. She is also survived by her grandchildren Nichole Ngom, Marissa DeAza, Connor Holland, Samuel Bienia, Riley Holland and Joseph Bienia and great grandchildren Rayna Ngom, Libasse Ngom, Zayden DeAza and Kyla DeAza. She also leaves her beloved cat Suzie.

A celebration of her life will be held in the Spring. Memorial donations may be made to St Jude or Shriners Hospital.