Candace M Chaisson

Candace Marie Matthews (Chaisson) passed away peacefully on November 30, 2024 at the Heywood Memorial Hospital in Gardner, MA. She had recently been living at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol, MA since 2020. 

Candace was born on October 23, 1954 in Greenfield, MA. She was the daughter of the late Melvin Matthews and Edith Meuse of Brookside Rd in Orange, MA, where Candace lived a large part of her life. She is predeceased by her brothers Earl Matthews and Kenny Benoit. 

She grew up and went to school in Orange, MA and graduated from Mahar Regional High School in 1973. She then worked at Cass’ Toys in Athol where she met the late Darryl Chaisson and had her first son Christopher Chaisson, in 1974. In 1984 she had her first Daughter Rebecca Burnett, with the late Bob Budzik of Gardner.

Candy was always known for dedication to her family, for her love of god, and her simple loving ways. She loved to laugh and loved animals of all types. She delighted in many simple pleasures, especially her daily coffee. She was an avid lover of television shows and local radio stations and usually had one or the other on in the background. She cherished the Christmas season with all the decorations, food, and carols. She called her daughter every day and deeply loved her only granddaughter Kaia who called her “Mimi”. 

Candy struggled with mental illness for most of her adult life, yet always made time for those who came to visit her. Her children like to believe that in another world where productivity was not the only metric, she would have likely been a healer and intuitive, using her gifts of empathy and sensitivity to help others. Candy leaves behind her daughter Rebecca Burnett, her son in law Jon Burnett, grand daughter Kaia Burnett, her son, Christopher Chaisson, her sisters, Camille, Reta, and Tudgy along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

There will be no calling hours at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Orange Gives Back in Orange, MA in Candaces' name, in honor of her love for shopping there, where she often would see friends and family.