Courtenay McKelvy

Westerly, R.I. – Courtenay Berenato Wright Raymond McKelvy of The Elms in Westerly, R.I., passed Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at the age of 99. Born in Atlantic City, N.J., Courtenay was the daughter of the late Anthony Bartolomeo Berenato and Elizabeth Lenore Wright Berenato.

Courtenay was a talented and beautiful singer and performer, a passionate mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a devoted friend, a lifelong learner who traveled extensively and a woman of deep faith. She shared her joy in life and the world with those around her. Courtenay grew up during theGreat Depression and World War II, moving frequently as her mother found jobs in different locations. By the time she graduated from Mount Mercy Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa., she had attended seventeen schools.

Courtenay's singing career began in high school with the Pittsburgh Opera Society. After graduation, she successfully auditioned at the Juilliard School of Music where she enrolled as a voice major. It was wartime and Courtenay left school to perform with the USO, traveling to Japan, Korea, Guam, Okinawa and the Philippines. Upon her return to the States, she joined the U.S. Army as a civilian actress technician (CAT). She lived for three years in Germany auditioning soldiers for talent shows and singing for the troops. Courtenay was especially proud of being selected to be the Queen of the "Go for Broke" regiment 442. This regiment was composed of Japanese Americans who fought for the U.S. during the war and sustained high casualties.

Upon her return to New York, Courtenay sang in clubs and on radio and television. Her appearances included the Arthur Godfrey Show, Queen for a Day, Earl Wilson and the variety show Charm Time, two episodes of which can be found on YouTube. She toured nationally with the Broadway show, "Guys and Dolls." Courtenay's late husband Robert Merriam Raymond told her that he had first noticed her when she was singing for wounded veterans in the VA hospital where he was a patient. Antoinette Perry, the founder of the Tony Awards, is the person who selected Courtenay to sing for hospitalized veterans. Courtenay and Robert married in 1953. Courtenay continued singing, with Radio City Music Hall and the Apollo and Palace Theaters, until they started their family. When Robert was transferred, they moved West when his banking career took them to California, Oregon and Illinois. While they lived near Los Angeles, Courtenay appeared on the TV series Playhouse 90 and other shows.

Courtenay and Robert raised four children and Courtenay lived to enjoy nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. When her youngest child reached high school, Courtenay became a musical tour operator, working with the CULTOUR agency, arranging performance tours for high school and college choirs, bands and orchestras traveling abroad. In 1980, Robert died of lung cancer.

Four years later, Courtenay married James McKelvy, a choir conductor, music arranger and founder of the Mark Foster music publishing company. She became stepmother to James' three adult children. Courtenay and James moved from Illinois to Santa Clara, California, where she founded Mark Foster Music Tours. They were married for 19 years, attending concerts and traveling the world. After losing James to Alzheimer's Disease, Courtenay moved to Connecticut to be near family.

She actively started a new life, attending Christchurch in Westerly where she volunteered for The Living Closet, providing supplies to people in need, and served on the Christ Church Arts Commission. Courtenay also volunteered for Literacy, teaching English as a second language, the Warm Center and the Salt March Opera Guild. She found that volunteering gave her meaning and purpose. She joined the Westerly YMCA, played golf, practiced yoga and performed in the Westerly Chorus's annual production of "Twelfth Night." Living independently, Courtenay managed through the COVID restrictions by staying in touch on telephone and online with family and friends, reading and keeping up with current events. In 2024, she moved into assisted living at The Elms in Westerly, R.I., where she enjoyed a year of friendships, activities and wonderful care.

Courtenay is survived by her children Elizabeth "Betsy" Raymond Stevenson (David), Douglas Barton Raymond, Clark Merriam Raymond (Patricia) and Abigail Raymond McNear (Jeffrey); her grandchildren: Robert (Kiley Renee), Clarkie and Courtenay Raymond; Douglas, Margaret and Zoe Raymond; and Madeline and Jamie McNear. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Mary Jean and Michael McKelvy; and her step-grandchildren Tuesdai Hill Pifer (Brian), Sarah Stevenson Burdick (Joshua) and Andrew Stevenson (Claire); also her great-granddaughters, Lilian Rose and Savannah Raymond; her great-grandson Theodore Raj; and her step-great-grandchildren, Haley Pifer and Brooks and Benjamin Burdick.

A service in celebration of Courtenay's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at Christ Church in Westerly, R.I. The final arrangements for Courtenay are being performed by the Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home in Westerly. She will be interred in a private burial in the family plot at the Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Ill.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com