Longtime Bedford resident Gilda (Buccella) Couvée, 89, died on Feb. 15, 2024.
She was born in Winchester on Nov. 4, 1934, and was the daughter of the late Fred and Josephine Buccella. Gilda (Jill) grew up in Everett and graduated from Everett High School. During high school, she enjoyed modeling for Filene’s department store. Upon graduation, she began working in the insurance industry in Boston.
In 1961, she married egg farmer Herbert Couvée of Bedford. Ironically, Jill never acquired a taste for eggs! They settled in Chelmsford and later built a house on a farm in Bedford that Jill was integral in designing. There they raised three children and welcomed four grandchildren.
Jill worked for Sentry Insurance in Concord as head of the records department for many years as well as for the Brown Insurance agency in Lexington.
Jill loved to sew. She made many of her own outfits and took up quilting in later years. She loved to garden and raise African Violets. She was an accomplished cook, baker and a doting grandmother.
Jill was an impeccable housekeeper who seldom sat down during the day. In her retirement, she assisted with the daily egg packing. She also enjoyed taking an Italian class with the Bedford COA that proved helpful when she took a trip to Italy with her classmates.
Gilda was predeceased by her husband Herbert Couvée in 2008. She leaves her children and their spouses: Paul and Andrea Couvée of Bedford, Neil and Sandy Couvée of Bedford, and Annelouise and Eric Schmitt of Deerfield, NH. She also leaves her grandchildren: Hank Couvée, Mary Couvée, Ben Couvée, and Greta Schmitt. In addition, she leaves her brother in-law Cosmo Albano of Woburn and her niece and nephew in California: Gina Diamante and Eric Tomasi. Gilda was predeceased by her sister Anne Tomasi and her sister in-law Louise Albano.
A funeral service will be held at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 25 Great Rd., Bedford, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gilda’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or the First Church of Christ Congregational, 25 Great Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.
The family extends their gratitude to the loving and compassionate caregivers and staff of the Inn at Deerfield in Deerfield, NH.
Loading ...
