Mary Joan Coupe

Mary “Joan” (Murningham) Coupe, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Wingate of Belvidere in Lowell at the age of 96. She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas E. “Coupie” Coupe for nearly 70 years, until his passing in 2018.

She was born in Lowell on May 8, 1926, and was a daughter of the late John and Nellie (Hall) Murningham.

As a life-long resident of Christian Hill, Joan had made friends with many of the neighbors. She and her late husband, Coupie spent many evenings sitting on their outside wall with the neighbors talking as if they were waiting for a parade to pass by. They all enjoyed each other’s company, sharing stories and many laughs. On any given Saturday, you could drop by their home, exchange stories with laughter, while enjoying a cup of coffee strong enough to curl your hair and one of Joan’s famous hamburgers.

Joan and Coupie enjoyed each other’s company. They took many local trips to Benson’s Animal Farm, antiquing and visiting family and friends throughout New England. You could always find them at their “Reserved” table every Saturday at the Sweetheart Inn.

Joan had a passion for baking. She was well known for her chocolate moons, a treat only the “lucky” would get their hands on throughout the years.

She had a natural talent for creating hand crafted treasures. These treasures included braided rugs, embroideries of all kinds and even designed and made her children’s clothing throughout the years.

Joan is survived and will be deeply missed by her three children, Paula LeBrecque and her husband Robert of NY, Karen Cregg and her husband John of Pelham, NH and Stephen Coupe and his wife Lisa of Hudson, NH; her two grandchildren, Leslie Cregg-Hyder and her husband Scott of Pelham, NH and Brian Cregg and his wife Maureen of Londonderry, NH; her four great-grandchildren, Kalin, Thomas, Marissa and Cregg; as well as many other family and friends.

She was the sister of the late Helen Casey, Doris Cheetham, Rita Witkos, John Murningham and PVT Paul Murningham, U.S. Army KIA Los Negos Island, WWII.

On behalf of Joan’s family, they would like to extend their gratitude to the nurses, CNA’s and staff at Wingate of Belvidere for all the care they provided over the past 15 years to both Joan and Coupie.

Another heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff of Beacon Hospice for their well provided care to Joan over the past month of her life.

Relatives and friends are invited to Joan’s Life Celebration on Friday, February 17, 2023 from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. Her funeral service will be celebrated immediately following at 12:30 PM in the funeral home. Burial to follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to Belvidere Health Care Center, Residents Activity Account, 500 Wentworth Avenue, Lowell, MA 01852.