Yvette R. Poirier died peacefully on Oct. 28 in Longmeadow, after living for many years in Springfield. She was 89.

Yvette was born in Ludlow on May 19, 1935 to the late Ralph (Raoul) and Eva (Brunelle) Poirier. She graduated from Cathedral High School and the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a bachelor of arts degree. As a young adult she was chosen to be part of a select ambassador corps to represent the United States at the 1958 Brussel’s World Fair as a bilingual interpreter/facilitator of English and French. As a Poirier, she was proud of her French-Canadian heritage.

For 37 years, Yvette was a dedicated educator in the Springfield public schools. She began her career teaching French and for 33 years she taught at the Sumner Avenue Elementary School, mostly as a fifth grade teacher.

For decades during her summers, she enjoyed her cottage, with its porch and garden, in the Campground in Oak Bluffs, a place of rejuvenation, calm and joy for her.

In her spare time, she was an avid reader, an astute bridge player and cruciverbalist, while also pursuing other talents and passions such as being an artist. Throughout her life, she shared dining, cultural and sporting events and other happy times with many dear friends, including her long-term special companions Biff and Tom.

Yvette was predeceased by her parents and her brother Dr. Roger A. Poirier. She is survived by Roger’s children, her niece Julie and her nephews Marc and Christopher. She also leaves her cousins and lifetime friends Bernice (Keller) Griffin and Bernard Poirier; her goddaughter Maura Griffin; as well as loving extended family members and friends.

Family and friends gathered for a funeral service on Nov. 2 at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation.

In memory of Yvette, please show an act of kindness or compassion towards someone, and make a memorial contribution to a charity of one’s choice, especially an organization that supports education.