Antoinette (Banash) Coutu

Antoinette (Banash) Coutu, 101, the oldest living resident of Turners Falls, died Tuesday 6/1/21 at the Buckley Health Care Center in Greenfield.  She was born in Montague on March 12, 1920, the daughter of Polish immigrants, Stanley and Henrietta (Novak) Banash.  She attended local schools in Montague and was a graduate of Turners Falls High Class of 1937.
She was a clerk at Wilson’s Department Store for many years until her retirement.  Prior to that, she worked at the Millers Falls Tool Company, where she also retired from. 
Antoinette enjoyed quilting, reading and gardening.  She was deeply dedicated to her family and loved family gatherings. 
Among her survivors, Antoinette leaves three daughters, Christine Dionne of Gardner, JoAnne Coutu and her husband Paul Skiathitis of Bernardston and Catherine Coutu and her husband Chuck Adams of Greenfield; grandchildren, Cheryl Crawford, Caroline de Ruiter, Sandra Conant, Zachary Billings, Jaqueline Billings, Jacob Billings; great grandchildren, Noah de Ruiter, Drew Conant and Griffin de Ruiter.
Antoinette was predeceased by her husband, William H. Coutu, Jr.; five sisters, Amelia (Mickey) Mapes, Adeline Schab, Gloria Boulanger, Joanna Sak, Virginia Smoot; and three brothers, Joseph, Edward and Stanley Banash.  Antoinette is the last surviving sibling from the first generation of American born Banashes.
A funeral service will be held Monday 6/7 at 10am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square, Turners Falls. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery in Turners Falls. 
There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flower the Franklin County Sherriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter, 10 Sandy Lane, Turners Falls, MA 01376.
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com. 

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