Lucille Courtney

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Mrs. Lucille G. Courtney, a long time Walton resident, died peacefully in her sleep at Golden Hill Nursing Home in Kingston. She was 89 years old. The nursing staff said she had been her happy and feisty self right through to her last day.  

Daughter of the late John Grzeszkiewicz and Josephine Grudzinski, Lucille was born Dec. 14, 1930, in West Wyoming, Pa. She graduated with a degree in Music Education from Marywood College and later obtained a Masters degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta. She was a first grade teacher at Walton Elementary School for many years. She would often bring music into the classroom.

She was married to Richard B. Courtney on July 23, 1955. This union was blessed with five children. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her brothers Walter, John and Tony, and sisters Helen, Genevieve, and Irene.

Mrs. Courtney was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church. She was the church organist and choir director for many decades. Her spiritual life was a constant that guided and sustained her. She played many roles in the Walton Little Theatre including Maria in The Sound of Music and Anna in The King and I. She and her husband, Richard Courtney, used to perform a two - person musical called “I Do, I Do” about the seasons of marriage and commitment, which was reflected in their own strong relationship. Mom had many great friends in Walton with whom she played bridge, golfed, bird-watched, and shared life’s celebrations and challenges.  

Lucille is survived by her brother Charles Grzeszkiewicz of Reading, Pa. and sister Barbara Galonsky of Virginia Beach, Va.; children Mark Courtney of Poughkeepsie, Jim Courtney of Chicago, Ill., Tom Courtney of Danbury, Conn., Joan Lobeck of Salida, Colo., and Michael Courtney of Saugerties; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held via an online Zoom service on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. (EST). All are welcome. If you would like to join via Zoom send an email to Mark Courtney at markgcourtney9@gmail.com. Mark will send you the Zoom connection link and info.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church, 25 Benton Ave, Walton, NY 13856 or William B. Ogden Library, 42 Gardiner Place,, Walton, NY 13856.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Courtney Funeral Home, Walton. To leave a message for the Courtney family, visit her online tribute at www.courtneyfh.com.