Jeanne E. (Collette) Couture

North Providence - Jeanne Eva Couture passed away at age 82 on December 28, 2021 with her loved ones by her side. Born in Pawtucket, RI on August 19, 1939 to the late Paul Collette and Eva Tougas Collette, Jeanne grew up with 8 sisters and 2 brothers. She would tell stories about how she loved playing baseball as a kid with her siblings, and how she was always the one to hit the ball over the fence. 

In her 20’s, Jeanne met the love of her life, the late George Couture Sr. She and George spent countless hours going on dates to her favorite place, the beach, often with a thermos filled with highballs. Jeanne and George married in 1968 and started a family. They are survived by their four children: Michelle Couture, Joanne Couture, Donna Berube, and George Couture Jr., seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Throughout her life, Jeanne quickly became known as “Ma” or “Memere” not just to her biological family, but to her many “adopted” children and grandchildren who she always took under her wing. She was heavily involved in her community, especially Notre Dame Parish, where she could always be found with her loved ones on Thursday bingo nights staffing the kitchen. Jeanne thoroughly enjoyed annual fall trips to the White Mountains in NH with her family, often bringing along some of those “adopted” kids too. 

From childhood to her 80’s, her love for baseball never faded. She was always an avid Red Sox fan. Besides watching the Sox, Jeanne was known for her love of watching Days of Our Lives. Everyone close to her knew “her story” was on daily from 1 to 2 p.m., and she was not to be disturbed at that time. When not watching the Sox, her story, or QVC while she “rested her eyes”, she enjoyed listening to the 2nd love of her life, Johnny Mathis. 

After her husband passed away in 1997, Jeanne chose to live out the rest of her days with her beloved children and grandchildren. Jeanne moved to North Providence for seventeen years where she lived with her daughter, Donna, son-in-law Roger Berube, and granddaughter, Becca Berube. She then lived with her son George, daughter-in-law Allison Couture, and grandchildren Thomas and Eva Couture in Simsbury, CT for two years. For the final years of her life, Jeanne moved back in with her daughter Donna and family in North Providence.    

Jeanne lived a long life full of love and laughter with a heaping side of inappropriate humor and colorful language. The running joke was she had a “mouth like a trucker” and if you didn’t like it she’d tell you exactly where to go. Jeanne had a favorite finger (I’ll let you guess which one) and used it liberally. She was never hesitant to speak her mind. She was an extraordinary person who’s incredible laugh could brighten and fill any room. Her hugs were legendary, and when you got one there was no doubt you were loved. Her love for coffee ice cream and chocolate could only be superseded by her love for her family. She has convinced many that the key to happiness is a piece of chocolate after every meal. She touched many lives, and those lucky enough to have gotten to know her each have a special Jeanne/Ma/Memere story they’ll never forget, and we would love to hear them all. 

Jeanne will be buried next to her husband in the Notre Dame Cemetery during a private ceremony on January 3, 2022.  For online guest book, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com.  Arrangements with Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.

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