Elaine H. (Marshall) Courtney

Elaine H. Courtney, 91, of Briarwood Circle, Worcester, died Saturday, November 27, 2021 in her home after a period of declining health and surrounded by her family. She was the loving wife of the late Joseph D. Courtney who passed in March of 1994.

Born in Boston on September 18, 1930, she was one of the three children of the late Chester G. and Estelle M. (Hooper) Marshall. Elaine was raised in Dorchester and was a 1948 graduate of Jeremiah Burke High School. She went on to train at the Massachusetts College of Art. A gifted artist she trained under renowned Gloucester painter Arthur Safford. Married in 1950 the Courtneys made their first home and raised their two boys in Medford. In 1957 they moved to Lincoln, MA and lived there until 1990. Elaine was active in the community while working for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Town of Lincoln, Attorney Harland Newton and other pursuits.

In 1959 the Courtney’s purchased a summer home on Great Neck, overlooking the ocean in Ipswich. Many enjoyable summers were spent in Ipswich eventually becoming their primary home after moving from Lincoln. Nothing gave Elaine more pleasure than a dip in the often-cold waters of the Plum Island Sound, reminding her of her childhood summers at the home of her maternal grandparents in Sargentville, ME. Elaine and Donald became cherished members of the Great Neck community and greatly enjoyed their time in Ipswich.

In 2009 Elaine moved to the Briarwood Retirement Community in Worcester. As she so often did, she immediately became involved in her new community and expanded her circle of friends. She loved to socialize, play cards and was part of the ladies bowling group. She loved to travel and visited many countries around the world and most parts of North America. She made friends easily and although she liked to be “the boss” was always accommodating and a pleasure to be with.

She is survived by two sons, Neil D. Courtney and his wife Patricia N. of Camden, ME, David C. Courtney and his wife Claire of Hartland, VT; three grandchildren, Erica B. Courtney and her husband James Toczko of East Hampton, CT, William T. Courtney and his fiancé Nicole Adee of Park City, UT and James S. Courtney of Winooski, VT; a sister, Marilyn Crosby of West Boylston, MA and several nephews and nieces.

Elaine’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the Briarwood Community for the great care and companionship they provided over the last thirteen years and most especially to the nurses and caregivers of Overlook Hospice.

A Spring 2022 Celebration of her Life is being planned and will be announced at a later date. Private funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. Donations in Elaine’s honor can be made to Overlook Hospice or Mass Audubon Society.

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