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February 12, 2009
Missing Marie
You would not have found Marie on Facebook nor in a Google search. You would never have gotten a text message from her. And, the likelihood of getting an email from her was slim. Her children described her as being 'technologically Amish.' The truth is that Marie Courtney needed to be experienced in person. A typical Marie experience could be summed up with a warm smile, tremendous style, a hot cup of tea and a scone, a witty joke and a hearty laugh. We are celebrating her life even as we are mourning her death.
Marie passed away on February 10, 2009. She was our colleague and our treasured friend. Her last years here at the Bryant Library were spent in the public eye: working the Reference Desk and doing Prime Time programs for the seniors in our community. She planned teas, dance performances, lectures, designed wonderfully creative book displays, did interloans, as well as supervised our services for the homebound. She took great pleasure in her job. So much so that she continued to work part-time, even after her retirement in 2007. A lesser known fact is that Marie worked in nearly every department in the building. She began here in 1982 as a clerk in Technical Services. And, she continued in that department and the Circulation Department while she worked to get her Masters at the age of 65. Imagine that! She went on to a second career when most people are considering retirement! Marie joined the Reference Department as a full-time librarian in 1999.
Those are the facts, but it doesn't tell you who Marie was. As is common when you lose someone you love, you begin to reminisce and that is what we've been doing. A fly on the wall would mostly hear us laughing because so many of our memories of Marie are funny. To look at her, you might think that she'd be somewhat old-fashioned, prim, proper, but you'd be wrong. She was an intelligent, curious, kind, vivacious, hilarious woman. She was always well put together, from her hairdo and manicure, to her sunglasses and high heels - Jackie O. would have had nothing on her! Marie had three children and one precious granddaughter, all of whom she adored and was incredibly proud of. She loved her tea and blueberry scones. She loved to read. She possessed great inner strength, and a healthy dose of stubbornness. She loved to laugh and to make other people laugh. She enjoyed New Yorker cartoons and would often share them with others. Marie adopted the most beautiful kitten and named him Dewey... a couple of years prior to the bestselling book of the same name. Marie was always up for a nice dinner, a good joke, skit or song. She could always be counted on for a compliment and a kind word. She was an excellent librarian and a great friend.
Marie always said that she was hired as Christmas help, then just stayed on. We are so glad that she did. She touched so many of our lives, and she will be missed.
Posted by Michele at February 12, 2009 11:41 AM
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Comments
Michele,
What a beautiful tribute to your colleague! I'm sorry that I never met her but I fell as if I know a little bit from what you expressed about Marie. It seems my great loss to have never known such a wonderful lady and Librarian.
MaryAnn Tweedy
Posted by: MaryAnn at February 12, 2009 3:36 PM
Marie made me smile. She made me laugh. She came in the door of the library carrying her paraphernalia of books and bags, saying hello to everyone along the way to her desk …, Hi beauty, Hi love, Hi dear. When I was a beginning part-time librarian at Bryant, I worked with Marie every Monday night. I always looked forward to spending the time with her. We talked about everything. We laughed about everything. In order to keep the library “hush” we rolled our chairs to meet in the center of the reference desk to share a thought or a joke. Our friendship grew beyond the library and touched my life in a special way. Marie taught me about being a librarian and about living life with style and courage. She was the best mentor I could have had. Now I’m working full-time and sitting at Marie’s old desk. I’m honored to share it with her memory. I feel her around me but miss her so much.
Posted by: Beth at February 13, 2009 11:51 AM
Marie was "godmother" and guardian to my Molly and I was "godmother" to her Dewey. We bonded through our kitties and she gave me the most lovely gift in memory of Molly which I have hanging on my wall at home...it will always make me think of Marie and her incredible thoughtfulness.
Posted by: Mary Lindquist at February 17, 2009 4:16 PM
I met Bill and Marie Courtney only once in the early 90's. They were visiting their daughter Christine in Los Angeles and we all met at the 555 Restaurant in Long Beach. I still remember it as one of the most joyous evenings of my life.
Michele's description of Marie is spot-on. Marie was elegant, smart, witty and gracious. It was clear that Christine was her daughter...the apple did not fall far from the tree.
My condolences to Bill Jr., Peter and Christine in the passing of your lovely mother. While she is no longer with us, please take comfort that she is now reunited with your father and they are basking in the love of our Father in Heaven.
Posted by: James Blum at March 9, 2009 11:32 AM
These posts are beautiful and moving tributes to an obviously remarkable woman. To be remembered so fondly, spoken of so graciously, and missed so deeply enlightens us all as to Marie's wondrous ways.
My heart goes out to her sons and daughter who have lost such a life force. May her vivacious spirit, curious mind, and abundant laughter be remembered and emulated by all of those lucky enough to have crossed her path.
Posted by: Tim Rue at March 9, 2009 4:07 PM