Obituary: Barbara Ellen Piga Marcouiller

Barbara Ellen Piga Marcouiller, 82, of Longboat Key, died Oct. 2.

Born March 19, 1932, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mrs. Marcouiller grew up in Jersey City, N.J. She graduated in 1953 from Chestnut Hill College, in Philadelphia, where she majored in English, edited the newspaper, was chosen as a member of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” and was given the nickname “Bep.” She loved sailing during summers in Lavallette, N.J.

Mrs. Marcouiller married her husband, Timothy, Jan. 12, 1957. The couple had six children and were married for more than 50 years. They retired in 1991 to Longboat Key, where they enjoyed golf and tennis, traveling and socializing.

Mrs. Marcouiller served two terms as president of the Longboat Key Club Key Niners. She played bridge, attended the Sarasota Orchestra, regularly finished the New York Times crossword puzzle, was an avid reader and enjoyed correcting her children’s grammar.

Mrs. Marcouiller was a devout Catholic and active member of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women’s Guild. She volunteered at the church’s annual Christmas bazaars and rummage sales and the Longboat Library.

Mrs. Marcouiller was preceded in death by her husband, Timothy, and sons, John and David. She is survived by her sons Timothy Jr., of Aransas Pass, Texas, Michael, of Longboat Key, and Paul, of Cheshire, Conn.; daughter, Barbara Hippe, of Oakton, Va.; sister, Marjorie Crawford Crain, of Annapolis, Md.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations can be made to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, tidewell.org/hospice, or a charity of choice.

A memorial Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 25, at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive.