Rhonda Charest Couto

Rhonda Charest Couto, 48, of East Freetown, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 following a long courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was the wife of Kenneth J. Couto with whom she shared 25 years of marriage.

Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late Edward Charest, Jr. and Colleen (Costa) Charest, she was raised in New Bedford and lived in Fairhaven for 3 years before moving to East Freetown 20 years ago.

Rhonda was a graduate of New Bedford High School, class of 1983 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from S.M.U., now U-Mass Dartmouth in 1992. She had worked as a Financial Manager and Team Leader at General Cable Corp. for the past 20 years.

Rhonda was involved in Relay for Life at New Bedford High School, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and the Oncology Advisory Committee at Women and Infants Hospital. She loved to travel and enjoyed theater, the art of dance and time at the beach. Most of all, she cherished her loving and caring family.

Surviving in addition to her husband are her children, Eric R. Couto, Molly K. Couto and Emma E. Couto of Freetown; two brothers, Nicholas Charest and wife Julie of New Bedford and Jeffrey Charest of Plymouth; two sisters, Nancy L. Long and husband Andrew of Reading and Heather Charest of New Bedford; her dear grandmother and mother figure, Lauriana Charest of Acushnet and several nieces and nephews.

Her Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 11am in St. John Neumann Church, 157 Middleboro Rd., East Freetown. Her family will receive guests prior to the mass from 10:30am-11am. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rhonda’s memory may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, PO Box 20381, Cranston, RI 02907.

Arrangements are in the care of Rock Funeral Home. Visit www.rock-funeralhome.com for online tributes