Today, The Red Cross, The Nurses Association and other distinguished organizations, businesses and persons, said goodbye to an outstanding woman, Mrs. Audrey Courtenay, wife of Vernon Harrison Courtenay.
Courtenay, 80, died at home on Saturday morning at about 7:30, after suffering from a heart attack, and her funeral services were held at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church this afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
Reverend Shirley Johnson gave a brief tribute to Courtenay, reminiscing about times when she was studying at the University of West Indies, School of Nursing, in Kingston Jamaica.
The eulogy was read by her son Ian Courtenay, and Gavin Courtenay did another tribute. Other family members participated in the service with Bible readings and special prayers.
Courtenay was not born in Belize, but when she and her family migrated to Belize, her hard work and competence earned her the respect of many Belizeans.
Throughout her long career, Courtenay worked tirelessly as a nurse, and earned coveted titles in the different hospitals across Belize; the most coveted of awards came in 1997, when, while working with the Red Cross, she received the Florence Nightingale Award, the highest distinction given to nurses.
Audrey Courtenay had four sons – David and Andrew (both deceased), and Eamon and Ian – and one daughter, Jeanne.
Amandala extends its deepest sympathies to the family of the late Audrey Courtenay.