Carmen V. Couturier

BANGOR – Carmen V. Couturier was surrounded by her family and friends as she celebrated her 90th birthday July 16, 2012. On Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012, she was once again surrounded by her family and loved ones as she peacefully passed away at a Bangor nursing home, where she had resided for the past two years. Carmen was born in 1922, in Van Buren, the daughter of Severin F. Violette and Marguerite (Martin) Violette.
She was one of nine children, or as she liked to say, the person who washed more than a dozen bowls of oatmeal every morning before going to school. During World War II, at age 18, Carmen and her family moved from Van Buren to Connecticut. One of her first real jobs after graduating from high school was working as a junior draftsman, helping to create blueprints for many of the airplane engines used during the war. In 1945 she returned to Van Buren to serve as the town clerk, while also working at the Water & Power District. In 1946 she married her husband of 34 years, Patrick Couturier, a successful local contractor. While Pat was building houses, together they began to build their family. Daughter, Patricia, was born in 1947, and their son, Robert, in 1949. Five years later she decided to return to work, serving as the education secretary for 12 1/2 years at the same school her children would attend. After a few additional moves, the family settled down in the city that would be home to Carmen throughout the remainder of her life. She returned to the school system as a secretary at Garland Street and then St. Johns School, and managed the apartment buildings that she and Patrick had invested in locally. She loved the “art of the deal” and investing in real estate, and often spoke of the beautiful investment properties found in the greater Bangor area. Her love of jewelry was obvious, as noted throughout the many years she spent behind the jewelry counter at Service Merchandise throughout the 1980s. After Patrick passed away in 1981, Carmen served as a hospital volunteer at Eastern Maine Medical Center and helped to lead the Bangor Widow and Widowers Club from 40 members to more than 400 – a resource that was very impactful to those in need. She was a very outgoing, loving, caring person, who would make friends everywhere she went. Carmen, coming from a very musical family, was a beautiful piano player, with a truly “unique” musical voice! Despite her northern Maine roots, she always considered Bangor her real home. She loved the people of Bangor, and always got a kick out of the voice recognition she would nearly always receive – whether calling her bank, city hall, the police department or virtually any other local number, she loved hearing the person on the other end of the phone saying, “Is that you Carmen?” or “Good morning Carmen, how are you?” before she stated her name. The only thing she loved more than the city of Bangor, was her family.
Carmen is survived by her two children, Patricia Sarchi of Portland and Robert Couturier of Bangor; as well as sisters, Theresa Violette, Simone Violette, Lorraine Gagnon, Priscilla Blier; brother, Joseph Violette; many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Chris, Tammy, Matt, Sue and Robbie; as well as her eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Patrick; and her three brothers. The family extends our deepest thanks and gratitude to all of the wonderful nurses and support staff at Maine Veterans Home, Bangor.
Friends are invited to gather with the family 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York St., Bangor. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.