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Mary E. "Boo" Courtnell
Mary E. "Boo" Courtnell
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Mary Courtnell Obituary
Born on Aug. 30, 1946, Boo grew up at The Hawthorne Inn in Chatham, the family's business. She graduated from Chatham High School in 1964.
Boo left Chatham in 1964 and worked in several places around the country in the food and beverage business until she settled in Boston in 1967. She worked in both food and beverage and as an executive assistant until 1984.
She married Oliver D. Colvin Jr. in 1984. Together, Boo and Ollie were avid travelers, visiting such places as the South Seas, Scandinavia and the North Atlantic, and the Adriatic.
Boo loved good food, good wine, good friends, good times and slot machines. Mostly, she loved people; she found her greatest joy in the happiness of others. She spent the last years of her life self-employed as the "director of fun."
Her enthusiastic spirit continues in the lives of family and friends she influenced with her magnetic, permanent smile and her embodiment of the phrase "a life well lived."
She is survived by her husband, Oliver D. Colvin Jr.; a brother, Paul "Duke" Courtnell Jr. and his wife, Karen Sue; a sister, Ruth Ann Courtnell; a niece, Patten Courtnell; and a nephew, Paul Courtnell III.
A celebration of her life will be held at Boston Harborside Home, 580 Commercial St., Boston, MA 02109 (617-536-4110), at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. Burial will be at Seaside Cemetery in Chatham, at 11 a.m., on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Hospice of the Good Shepherd, 2042 Beacon Street, Newton, MA 02468-1431, or to a charity of one's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Ed Steele
October 18, 2008
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Dian Vujovich
October 18, 2008
I was both shocked and saddened to learn about Boo's death. My sympathy to all her family. Boo was one of the greatest, happiest, most fun to be around people that I've been fortunate enough to know. Heaven got lucky while we're all saddened here.I'll pop a bottle of Clicquot in her honor and see her smile in all the bubbles.
John Tuttle
October 12, 2008
My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
J S
October 12, 2008
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, ""I welcome you.""
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......""My day was not in vain.""
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
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Laura Kelley
October 12, 2008
It is with great sadness that I read of Boo's passing. We were class mates and close friends growing up together in Chatham. We spent many summers at the Hawthorne where I am sure she learned how to be "the director of fun".
My sincere condolences to Oliver, Ruth, Duke & family.
Cynthia Moore
October 12, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
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