New Bedford – Maria Couto, age 84 of New Bedford, died at home surrounded by her family on Saturday, September 13, 2014. She was the loving wife of the late Manuel B. Couto of New Bedford and the duaghter of Maria R. (Melo) and Manuel I. Lima. She was born in Ribeira Quente, Sao Miguel, Açores, and moved to this country in 1976, where she worked as an Inspector at Cliftex Corporation until her retirement.
Mrs. Couto was devoted to and belonged to Our Lady of Perpetual Rosary Society of Portugal for most of her life. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and, in her leisure time, enjoyed gardening, knitting and poetry. Maria also wrote of book of poems.
She is survived by her 4 daughters: Conceicao Lima, wife of Carlos of New Bedford, Filomena Linhares, wife of Manuel of Dartmouth, Maria A. Correia, wife of Mario of New Bedford and Maria Furtado, wife of the late John Furtado, a son: Antonio Couto, husband of Nicole of New Bedford, as well as 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, daughter in-law, Susan Couto of New Bedford and several nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Manuel Couto and Paul Couto and grandmother of the late Michael Lima. Mrs. Couto was the last living child from her family as she was predeceased by 13 siblings.
Her funeral will be Tuesday morning beginning in the funeral home at 9:30 A.M. and continuing with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery. Visiting hours will take place in the funeral home on Monday evening from 5 - 8 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. in New Bedford.