Maria Couillard

New London — Maria A. Couillard, 83, passed away to join her beloved husband, Bill, on Friday, March 2, 2018, at New London Rehab.

Maria was born on her family farm in Longare, Italy, on March 14, 1934, the eldest daughter of Angelo Valentino and Romana Bettinardi Sterchele. She was one of eight siblings who worked tirelessly helping her parents raise a family through the German occupation of World War II. She met Bill in Vicenza, Italy while he was stationed there in the U.S. Army and married him in Longare in 1958. They came back to America soon after his discharge and eventually settled in East Lyme, where they raised their own family. After her children finished high school, Maria went to work for Sears in the Crystal Mall for 17 years as a salesperson in the men’s department where she made many friends of customers and colleagues.

Maria traveled back to Italy many times to enjoy time with her family and spent many years traveling with Bill and enjoying many family celebrations with her children and grandchildren. Her love for living and her love for living in America was only surpassed by her unconditional love for her children and grandchildren. They always came first.

Maria is survived by her children, Joseph Couillard of East Lyme, Maria Berube of Uncasville and John Couillard of Uncasville. Maria’s surviving siblings are, Antoinetta Sterchele of Bellinzona, Switzerland, Juliana Feltrin, Valentina Sterchele and Ettore Sterchele all of Vicenza, Italy.

Maria was predeceased by Ettorina Sterchele of Verona, Italy and Isidoro Sterchele, also from Vicenza and Adriano Sterchele of Berlin, Germany.

Maria is also survived by her grandchildren, Cody, Elise, Daniel, Ethan and Julia. She also leaves behind her dear lifelong friend, Gina Zito of New London.

Thank you to the staff in the North Wing of New London Rehabilitation for their professional and loving care administered to Maria during her final years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, in St. Matthias Church, 317 Chesterfield Road, East Lyme. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, New London. There are no visiting hours.

Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guest book or share a memory.