GILMANTON ---- Harriett (Waller) Thompson Coupal, 93, of Gilmanton, NH passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Harriett was born in New Milford, CT, on December 23, 1929, the daughter of Homer and Helen (Keeler) Waller, of Bridgewater, CT.
She graduated from the New Milford CT High School, a valedictorian in 1947, and received her Bachelor’s degree with a major in music education from Western CT State University in 1951, and her Master of Music Degree from Boston University in 1958.
She taught music at the Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, MA and the Brookline, MA Public Schools before coming to New Hampshire. She spent many years as Music Director of the Gilford, NH Elementary School. She was an organist and choir director in churches in CT, MA, and NH. She was noted for her piano performances and piano and instrumental teaching. She was a member of the Music Education National Convention, The Music Teacher National Association, and the American Guild of Organists for many years.
Family members include her two sons, Darryl Thompson, and Dayne Thompson and his life partner Betsy Thew of Gilmanton, three grandsons, Warren Thompson of Laconia, Alex Thompson of West Islip, NY, and his son Brandon, and Avery Thompson of Austin, TX. Harriett is also survived by her nephews, Donald Baker and his wife Laura and their son, Zachary of North Reading, MA, Fred Baker and his wife Chris, and their four daughters and families, and Frank Ace and his wife Connie, and their two sons and daughter of Warrington, PA. She was predeceased by her husband Armand Coupal in 1993.
Harriett was very devoted to her family and friends. Her sister Mary passed away in 1967, and she raised Mary’s son Donald Baker along with her two sons. Her sister Jeanne DeLong passed away in 2010. Their deaths gave her great sorrow. The family reunions which she started years ago at a relative’s castle in New Milford, CT, were especially important to her.
A Calling Hour will be from 10:00am-11:00am, Friday, June 2, 2023, at the Gilmanton Corners Community Church, 497 Province Road, Gilmanton, NH.
Following the Calling Hour, a Memorial Service will be at the church at 11:00am.
Interment will take place after the Church Service at the Smith Meeting House Cemetery, in Gilmanton, NH.
A Reception Luncheon will be held after the burial at the Gilmanton Corners Community Church and all are welcome to come and greet the family and share your remembrances.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.