Mary Cournoyer Was Gentle, Caring Person

Mary Cournoyer of Vineyard Haven died on Sunday, July 6, at Windemere Nursing Home. She was born the eldest of 13 children on Sept. 19, 1907 to Manuel and Maria Campos.

The matriarch of a large family, she spent her life in service to others. In the eyes of her family she was an example for all women to follow. She was beautiful, gentle and loving, while at the same time, rock-solid, hard-working and competent. She will be greatly missed.

Mary is survived by her seven children, Jeane Pimental of Acushnet, George of Myrtle Beach, N.C., Edward of Harker Heights, Tex., Donald of Pelham, N.H., Frederick of Oak Bluffs, Francis of West Tisbury and Charles of Vineyard Haven. There are also 18 surviving grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her grandson, Charles Cournoyer Jr. Also surviving are her sisters, Evelyn Silvia of Vineyard Haven, Anna Medeiros of Edgartown and Florence Coutinho of Hyannis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Her funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine's Church, Vineyard Haven at 11 a.m. today, July 11. Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven. Visiting hours were last night in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Windemere Nursing Home, P.O. Box 1747, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.