Julie J. Gagne

Julie Gagne passed away peacefully on January 31, 2024, at Baystate Hospital in Springfield MA. She was born on August 4, 1977, and grew up with her extended family and friends in the greater Holyoke / Springfield area where she attended local schools, she earned her Associate Degree from Springfield Technical Community College and was currently completing a Master’s Degree in Counseling / Addiction Studies at Cambridge College. Julie was a powerful and dedicated advocate in the recovery community and worked with several community organizations including AISS, Square One, Gandara Center’s Hope for Holyoke and Valor Recovery Centers and most recently MassHire in Holyoke. Julie was an inspiration and a mentor to many people in recovery, especially to women and mothers in recovery. She had such an impact on people struggling with addiction and celebrating their recovery and she was a beloved member of a 12-step fellowship family. Julie loved playing cards with friends, spending time with her family and friends (especially the kids) and listening to hip hop music including her favorite Notorious BIG! Julie had a personality bigger than life and a sense of humor that will continue to bring smiles and laughter as we remember her in the days to come.
Julie is pre-deceased by her father Arthur “Bucky” Gagne, and is survived by mother, Marie Gagne; daughter, Mariah Roman; aunts Roseann Branco and Theresa Stenke; her adopted mom Juanita Lugo; adopted siblings Alexandra Ramos, Lillian Lugo, Maria Lugo, Juan Lugo; and her beloved niece Nilsa Gonzalez; her husband Morris O. Wamira; along with many colleagues and very close friends.
Calling hours will be on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 10:00AM-12:00PM at New England Funeral and Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA 01108. A gathering of family and friends will follow at Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church, 455 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA from 1:00PM-6:00PM to share memories and celebrate Julie’s life. Please visit Julie’s memorial page for expressions of sympathy.