Obituary: Alice F. DeCouto, Former Oliver Ames Coach and Referee

Alice F. (Maliff) DeCouto, 78, of North Easton and Brewster, died on Sept. 25, 2013. She was the wife of the late James E. DeCouto. Alice was born in Boston and raised in North Easton, a daughter of the late Thomas and Mary L. (McCarthy) Maliff. She was a graduate of Oliver Ames High School, Class of 1952, and Springfield College, Class of 1956.

For over 26 years, Alice worked for the Town of Easton School Department, retiring in 1997. She was a coach for the Oliver Ames girls athletic teams and was a referee for basketball and hockey. In 2003, she was inducted into the Oliver Ames Athletic Hall of Fame. Throughout her life, Alice was interested in children's sports programs building team spirit.

She was cofounder of Camp DeVal in North Easton, which ran from 1960-1968. Her motto in life was Fun All The Way which she lived by. She was the founder and co-conspirator with her friend Patsy, of the Easton Van Gang. She was also a longtime member of the Red Hat Society. She loved to watch sports and travel, and loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally.

Alice was the mother of Catherine M. Svarczkopf of South Yarmouth, James E. Jr. of Whitman and Thomas A. and his wife Lynn of North Easton; grandmother of Elane Smith, Thomas Fontes, Lauren DeCouto, Lisa Svarczkopf, Kristen, Tyler, and Abby; and great-grandmother of Amaya Smith. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and was the sister of the late Robert Maliff.

Visiting hours were held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte. 123), Brockton, Monday, Sept. 30, 3-8 p.m. The funeral procession gathered at the funeral home Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for a funeral Mass in Immaculate Conception Church, North Easton, at 10:30 a.m. Burial in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Please consider donations in her name to Make A Wish Foundation, 1 Bulfinch Place, #201, Boston, MA 02114. For condolences, visit www.conleyfuneralhome.com.