Maria Hortencia Couto

New Bedford –Maria Hortencia (Melo) Couto, 86, of New Bedford, died Tuesday December 7, 2004, at Hathaway Manor Extended Care Facilities. She was the widow of Jose C. Couto. She was the mother of Jose M. Couto form Dartmouth, Aristives “Steve” Couto of New Bedford, Maria R. Costa of Assonet, Manuela DeMelo, and Francisca Oliveira of New Bedford. She was the sister of Maria Braga of St. Michael, Azores, and the late Manuel C. Melo, Gloria Pereira, Lourdes Costa, Rosaline Casimiro, and Evelina Resendes. She was also survived by 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, and several nieces, and nephews.

Mrs. Couto was born in Faial da Terra, Sao Miguel, Azores and lived in this area since 1966. She was the daughter of the late Manuel C. and Rosalina (Costa) Melo. She was a stitcher at Cliftex Manufacturing before her retirement.

Her funeral will be Friday December 10, 2004, from the Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. at 9:30 A.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Rivet St. New Bedford, MA. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Thursday December 9, 2004 from 4 – 8P.M.