Obituary for Madeline Juliette Coutu Lister
Madeline Juliette Coutu Lister, 91 of Essex Junction, VT passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 29, 2022 at The Arbors in Shelburne, where she was well cared for. Madeline was born on December 11,1930 in North Troy, VT to Octavien and Alexandrina Coutu. She was the 5th of 7 children. After graduating from Newport Center High School in 1948, she moved to Burlington to work as a switchboard operator for the Telephone Company. Madeline went on to work at General Electric, where she met Robert James Lister, whom she would marry in 1958. They had 3 children together. While her hope was to remain at home with her kids, she found herself back in the workplace and raising 3 kids on her own. Madeline worked for the Chittenden Trust Bank, retiring after 32 years, in 1996.
When Madeline wasn’t busy being a single Mom, her hobbies included working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles, reading, gardening and playing any card or board game, bingo and watching tennis. Madeline’s biggest joy in life came from the time spent with her family and friends. She was stronger than her soft and gentle demeanor, would suggest. With humor and faith, she faced the daily challenges of a single Mom.
Madeline raised her three children with the enormous help and love of her brothers and sisters who lived nearby. She was known by many names, Maddie, Aunt Maddie, Mom, Grammy Lister and affectionally nicknamed Mimi by her granddaughter Nicole. It stuck and we have all lovingly called her Mimi since that time.
Madeline was blessed with lifelong friends. Even though time would sometimes go between communication, these friends cherished their relationships. One grade school friend recently wrote to Mom and described her as “the best” friend she ever had.
Madeline is survived by her three children and their spouses - Kevin Lister, wife Marsha and their two daughters Jessica and Brooke of Arizona. Karen Lister Nys, of Vermont and her two children Dillon Nys of Arizona and Eva Nys of New York. Francine Lovett, her husband Jeffrey and their two children Alexander Lovett and Nicole Lovett all of Vermont. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Joyce Coutu and cousin Suzanne Larkin, along with dozens of nieces, nephews, their spouses/ significant others and children.
Madeline is predeceased by parents Alexandrina and Octavien Coutu and also predeceased by her siblings and their spouses - Georgette (aka Sr. Patrice) Coutu, Cecile Beaulieu (Philippe), Marcel Coutu, Therese Magnant (Royce), Yvette Tousley, Jean Pierre (aka Peter) Coutu.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday June 6, 2022 from 5-7 pm at A W Rich Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Essex Jct. A mass of Christian burial will be held on June 7, 2022 at 11 am, at St. Lawrence Church, 158 West Street, Essex Junction. Burial will follow at Holy Family Cemetery, on Lincoln Street, Essex Junction.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Mom to the Alzheimer Association, at https://act.alz.org
The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.
When Madeline wasn’t busy being a single Mom, her hobbies included working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles, reading, gardening and playing any card or board game, bingo and watching tennis. Madeline’s biggest joy in life came from the time spent with her family and friends. She was stronger than her soft and gentle demeanor, would suggest. With humor and faith, she faced the daily challenges of a single Mom.
Madeline raised her three children with the enormous help and love of her brothers and sisters who lived nearby. She was known by many names, Maddie, Aunt Maddie, Mom, Grammy Lister and affectionally nicknamed Mimi by her granddaughter Nicole. It stuck and we have all lovingly called her Mimi since that time.
Madeline was blessed with lifelong friends. Even though time would sometimes go between communication, these friends cherished their relationships. One grade school friend recently wrote to Mom and described her as “the best” friend she ever had.
Madeline is survived by her three children and their spouses - Kevin Lister, wife Marsha and their two daughters Jessica and Brooke of Arizona. Karen Lister Nys, of Vermont and her two children Dillon Nys of Arizona and Eva Nys of New York. Francine Lovett, her husband Jeffrey and their two children Alexander Lovett and Nicole Lovett all of Vermont. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Joyce Coutu and cousin Suzanne Larkin, along with dozens of nieces, nephews, their spouses/ significant others and children.
Madeline is predeceased by parents Alexandrina and Octavien Coutu and also predeceased by her siblings and their spouses - Georgette (aka Sr. Patrice) Coutu, Cecile Beaulieu (Philippe), Marcel Coutu, Therese Magnant (Royce), Yvette Tousley, Jean Pierre (aka Peter) Coutu.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday June 6, 2022 from 5-7 pm at A W Rich Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Essex Jct. A mass of Christian burial will be held on June 7, 2022 at 11 am, at St. Lawrence Church, 158 West Street, Essex Junction. Burial will follow at Holy Family Cemetery, on Lincoln Street, Essex Junction.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Mom to the Alzheimer Association, at https://act.alz.org
The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.