Constance "Connie" Herbert

West Springfield – Constance “Connie” Herbert passed away on Thursday September 19 in Westfield. She was 87 years old. Born in Palmer, MA on August 18, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Gertrude (Holden) Bressette. Connie was a lifelong resident of West Springfield. She was a paraprofessional in the West Springfield High School and worked at Camp Robinson. Connie loved bingo and would play wherever there was a game. She loved to attend her kids’ sports events and was a tenacious advocate and defender for all her kids. She had a passion for politics (even though her kids would disagree with her views). Spending time with her family and praying to St. Jude was important to her. She loved showing off Bear (dog) to the other residents at the nursing home. Connie was predeceased by her loving husband and father of her children Gilbert V. Herbert Sr. and her second husband Raymond Paro. She will be re-united with her siblings Clayton Guyette, Leo Bressette Jr., Patricia Biagini and Joan Palermo. She will be missed by her children Chris (Kim) Herbert of Westfield, Clay (Katie) Herbert of Shelburne Falls, Gil Herbert Jr. of West Springfield, Paul “PJ” Herbert of West Springfield, Andy (Ericca) Herbert of Holyoke and Debbie Tetreault of West Springfield, Scott (Joanna Stone) of Agawam, Joseph of Agawam, and her brother Gene Bressette of Greenfield, 21 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff of Vantage of Westfield for the amazing care for our mother and the family. Memorial Visitation will be 3-5pm on Monday, September 30, with a funeral service at 5pm at TOOMEY-O’BRIEN FUNERAL HOME in West Springfield. Burial at the Massachusetts Memorial Veteran’s Cemetery will be private. Visit toomeyobrien.com for more information. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Connie’s memory to America’s VetDogs, 371 East Jericho Tpke., Smithtown, NY 11787, or www.vetdogs.org/AV/HowToHelp .