Marcia D. Coutu

Though Marcia worked outside the home much of her life, while raising her family, she always found time to follow her passions.

Throughout her life Marcia was an avid gardener. One of her great passions was to create gardens wherever she lived. She grew fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. She made preserves for her family, potpourris, and dried and pressed flower arrangements. She was a prolific seamstress and crafter. Her homes were decorated with the projects she created: braided rugs, quilts, stenciled walls and furniture, painted gourds (that she grew), and pinecone wreaths. She liked to make clothing (sewn or knit) for her family. Her greatest joy was when she was making something for someone! Also, she kept bees, ducks, geese, chickens, and angora rabbits. 

Marcia was a faithful member of the Jehovah’s Witness congregations in Pepperell, MA and Taunton, MA.

She was born March 2, 1930, in Leominster, MA to Martha and Berton Blanchard. She was the sixth of eight children: David Herbert (pre-deceased), Arline Lillian (pre-deceased), Evelyn Grace (pre-deceased), Irma Mae (pre-deceased), Walter Clyde (pre-deceased), Thelma Joan (pre-deceased), and Norma Esther.

In 1950 she married M. William Cooke (pre-deceased) with whom she raised four children: Virginia, David, Douglas, and Patricia (pre-deceased).

In 1970 she married Joseph L. Coutu (pre-deceased) who had three children from previous marriages: Robert (pre-deceased), Richard (pre-deceased), and Jean. They had one child together, Kathryn. 

She is survived by children: Virginia Cooke of Shirley, MA, David Cooke of Littleton, MA, Douglas Cooke of Arvada, CO, Jean Coutu of Townsend, MA, and Kathryn Hooper of Townsend, MA. She has ten grandchildren: Julia (Hooper) Mendoza, Rebecca Hooper (pre-deceased), Katherine (Coutu) Farrell, Richard Coutu Jr., Jaime (Coutu) Chesbrough, Jonathan Coutu, Brittany (Coutu) Newton, Brian Coutu, Kimberly (Coutu) Mitton, Kyle Coutu plus many great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends will gather for visiting hours at McGaffigan Funeral Home, 37 Main Street (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA on Sunday, December 17^th from 1 – 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Marcia’s memory to www.JW.org or to Lifecare Center of Nashoba Valley Resident Activity Fund, 191 Foster Street, Littleton, MA 01460.