AGAWAM — Most Agawam residents knew Gina Letellier as a fierce debater and fiscal watchdog during her 25 years on the Agawam City Council. But after her death on May 9 at age 55, those close to her are remembering her as a lawyer and a family member dedicated to others.

Letellier was a hard worker, family members said, who was dedicated not only to taking care of her son Matthew and her father, but sharing her dedication and love to the town of Agawam as a City Council member and lawyer who took on pro bono work.

“Ever since junior high, she knew that she wanted to be a lawyer, and when she went through Trinity College, she said that she wanted to be a part of the City Council in Agawam,” said Terry Letellier, Gina’s father. “She was a brilliant student, being top five in her class in high school, and in the top 5 percent in law school.”

He said her love of the town was evident in her service on the council and in how she lived her life. Council President Christopher Johnson agreed.

“Gina’s been on the council since 1997 [and] she was a practicing attorney in town working in family law. I had the opportunity working with her when I was working as a fellow attorney, and then when we both were councilors,” Johnson said just before the council’s May 16 meeting. “We are starting our budgeting review for the annual operating budget tonight, and that was always the time of year that Gina was at her best, representing the people of Agawam. She always was one of the people who scrutinized the proposed budget, whether it was myself or any mayor presenting it. She was always there making sure the taxpayers got their fair shake. She made a big difference.”

Letellier served several years as president of the council. Cecilia Calabrese, the current vice president, also served as Letellier’s vice president for one term, and fondly remembers their 18 years on the council together.

“She truly served as a mentor for me, she taught me everything on municipal finance and how to scrutinize the budget, where there might be ways of shifting the budget to benefit the people of Agawam,” said Calabrese. During their time together in leadership, “that was during a time when she was having Matthew, and I had to run some meetings, and she encouraged me to step forward.”

Calabrese also remembered another connection they shared: both of them had children in the Rosie Robotics program at Agawam High School.

“We called ourselves the Rosie moms – once a Rosie mom, always a Rosie mom,” said Calabrese.

In the past few years, Letellier missed several council meetings as she battled cancer. Even after the council returned to in-person meetings as COVID-19 emergency restrictions lifted, Letellier continued to participate remotely in recent months.

Letellier was also active in the Agawam Rotary Club and the Parish Cupboard food pantry, serving as president of both nonprofits. She volunteered her legal services to the Massachusetts Justice Project and Habitat for Humanity, which honored her with an award in 2008.

In addition to her father and son, she leaves a sister, Christina Letellier, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. The family is asking that memorial donations be made to the Memorial Fund for Matthew Letellier, care of Easthampton Savings Bank, 770 Main St., Agawam, MA 01001.