Marijane Ruth Connolly Couture died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Marijane was born in Montefiore Hospital, Bronx, New York, New York on Tuesday, April 29, 1930. She attended grade school in the Bronx and spent summers with her Aunt Nana on Long Island, New York. As a child, she was an avid swimmer and tap dancer. Her family moved to Stratford, Connecticut, where she graduated from Stratford High School. While there, she was a baton twirler. As a young lady, she was a softball pitcher and also performed water ballet on the Aquamaids® Synchronized Swimming team.
Marijane worked as a secretary for Columbia Records® in Bridgeport, Connecticut, after high school. That’s where she met co-worker and the “love of her life” Norman. Both sang in their high school choirs and had outstanding keyboard musicians in their families while growing-up. He was on the varsity tennis team in high school so it was fun for them to exercise by playing tennis together. They were also active in the civic Jaycee organizations. They were both Roman Catholic and attended mass on Sundays. They married on May 28, 1955. About ten months later, they gave birth to their first son; then 16 months afterwards, gave birth to twin girls. Two more sons were born by June 25, 1962. Being excellent, caring parents, she became a “stay at home mom,” while he became the sole “bread-winner” doing accounting at Columbia Records. They desired their children grow up and attend grade school in the newly created rural suburbs near the big city. Norman and his five brothers had formed a house-building company after they all returned home from serving in the military during WWII. The brothers completed the brand new Huntington, Connecticut, house in time for the youngest brother’s first-born to attend kindergarten at Elizabeth Shelton Grade School. Then, Columbia Records decided to close its Bridgeport complex and move its offices farther away. Norman decided to resign from the job he’d held since graduating in accounting from Bentley College 25 years previously. Nestle’s® recruited him to hire the employees for its brand new chocolate factory in Burlington. He served as its personnel office manager and as a Burlington city council person until has death April 26, 1973.
The four oldest children started attending St. Mary Grade School in September 1966. Marijane loved being a mom. When her twins were old enough, they joined the Girl Scouts and she became their troop leader and eventually the head Girl Scout leader in the area. They were also active in the civic Lion and Lioness organizations. Norman and Marijane, despite having busy schedules, attended most of their children’s activities to support and cheer them on. When her husband died, she had five children attending St. Mary Grade and High Schools. After a few years, she rejoined the work force. She worked as a sales person at Country Gentlemen’s clothing store, the receptionist for the Burlington Savings and Loan and a hostess at Richard’s White Oaks until her retirement. Even when working, she had time to be a Burlington hospital volunteer for 30 years and a long time member of the St. Mary church choir. She enjoyed traveling and competing as a singer in the Riverport Sweet Adelines barbershop-style choir. She had many friends groups including her “pool pals” from the Aurora Wellness Center, bridge playing card club and Ladies of the Lake. She enjoyed watching her seven grandchildren’s sports, concerts and other activities. In more recent years, she was able to watch sports, concerts and other activities of her 16 great grandchildren. Every one of them has at least one afghan crocheted by her with love. She was still crocheting afghans well into her nineties.
Marijane was preceded in death by her husband Norman Edward Couture, Sr.; father Joseph Alphonso Connolly; mother Ruth Anastasia Monaghan; step father George Plume; two brothers; and two sons, Ronald James Couture and Richard Joseph Couture.
She is survived by her son Norman Edward Couture, Jr.; her daughters Michelle (Tom) Lescher and Maura-Shane (Andy) Harlow; her grandchildren Peter Thomas (Gina) Kupfer, Joseph Andrew (Carrie) Kupfer, Marcus Edward (Sarah) Kupfer, Bridget Ann (Steve) Pitney, Erin Marie (Adrian) Selmon, Andrew Edward (Laura) Charles Harlow, and Melinda Beth (husband Joshua von Schaumburg) Harlow, and 16 great-grand children Isaac, Eric, Christopher, Anne, Allison Marijane, Austin, Alyssa, Jonathan, Brooksie Jane, Abigail, Jaxson, Braelynn Rose, Riley, Wesley, Bailey and Elliot.
Visitation will be Friday, March 28 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, 625 S. Browns Lake Dr., Burlington. Mass will be Saturday, March 29 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 108 McHenry St., Burlington, WI with burial following at St. Mary Cemetery.
The family invites friends for a Celebration of Life luncheon at St. Mary Church basement following the burial.
Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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