Florence Dorothy Couto

COUTO, FLORENCE DOROTHY (BICHO/AVIGNATI), 89, of 115 Goldsmith Avenue in East Providence, peacefully passed away, surrounded by family, on Friday, August 8, 2008 at Miriam Hospital, Providence. She was the wife of the late Joseph S. Couto, Jr. to whom she was married for 57 years.

Born in Providence on March 9, 1919, she was the daughter of the late William Bicho and Mary (Bell) Avagnati- Vosselman.

She was the beloved mother of Richard Couto and his wife Karen of Riverside, Barry D. Couto and his wife Sharon on East Greenwich, and Stephen J. Couto and his wife Sandra of Warwick. She was the cherished grandmother of 8 - Max Couto, Keith Couto, Adam Couto, Audrey Couto McClelland, Jane Couto Porricelli, Christian Couto, Cassie Couto White and Dr. Corey Couto; and proud great-grandmother of 15 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Madison, Chloe, Andrew, Riley, Jacob, William, Jackson, Alexander, Brady, Benjamin, Hunter, Preston, Henry and Dylan.

She was the sister of Evelyn Masterson of North Providence and the late Ursula Maaia, the step-sister of Adele Bocker of New York and the step-daughter to the late Ernest Avignati and to the late August Vosselman. She was the beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews. Especially her nieces, Joan Feola and Loretta Clarke.

Florence was a parishioner at St. Martha's Catholic Church and a member of St. Martha's Rosary and Altar Society, a member of Riverside Circle Daughters of Isabella #28, and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Ladies Auxiliary and the Goldsmith Manor Association.

Florence completed evening business courses at Johnson & Wales Business School in 1962, and was proud to earn her G.E.D. from East Providence High School in 1996, at the age of 77. Florence had many interests and talents. She loved to cook, bake and entertain family and friends. She also loved music and dancing, she loved to read romance novels, and she loved to crochet and sew. Flo loved to play cards and complete word-search puzzles. Flo was a avid bowler and loved being at her special friend, Peter Capello's Bowling Academy in East Providence. Her great passion was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Florence held positions in the food services, laundry, tailoring and insurance industries, but her most enjoyable and rewarding work was at Barrington Printing, her son's family business.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 12, at 11:00 am at St. Martha's Church, 2595 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. Calling hours respectfully omitted. Burial will be private. Arrangements by PERRY-McSTAY Funeral Home.