Sylvia V. Fairbanks

May 12, 1939 - January 6, 2022

Sylvia V. (Godek) Fairbanks, 82, passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center on Thursday, January 6, 2022. Born May 12, 1939, daughter of the late Frederick and Caroline (Gielda) Godek, she was a lifelong Chicopee resident and a parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Church. A graduate of Chicopee High School, Sylvia was a skilled quilter. She retired as an administrative assistant of the Holyoke Creative Arts Center, where she also was a quilting instructor. She was a member of the Hands Across the Valley, New England Quilt Guild, and was generous to charitable causes, such as making quilts for babies. Family was of most importance to Sylvia and she enjoyed cooking for holidays and gatherings. She was a gardener and avid sports fan, and always looked forward to travelling, having taken cruises and visiting National Parks, Poland, Italy and other destinations. Sylvia was predeceased in 2006 by her beloved husband, Donald V. Fairbanks. She is survived by her loving sons, Joseph Fairbanks and wife Joyce of Lakewood Ranch, FL, James Fairbanks and wife Laurie of Bernardston, and John Fairbanks and wife Mary Ellen of Brimfield; sisters, Jane Labak, Evelyn Gendron, and Kathleen Hughes; and many nieces and nephews. Sylvia will be greatly missed by her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers, Richard, Frank, and Chester Godek. Funeral services for Sylvia will be held Thursday from Kozikowski Funeral Home, 565 Front St., Chicopee, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30AM in Holy Name of Jesus at Assumption Church, 104 Springfield St., Chicopee. Committal services will follow in the chapel of the MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Calling hours are Thursday 9-10:45AM. Memorial contributions may be made to MCC Material Resources Center, 517 W. Trout Run Road, Ephrata Township, PA 17522.