BARBARA NYE COURTRIGHT

June 29, 1921 – August 9, 2023

Barbara Nye Courtright, age 100, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.  Barbara was born on June 29, 1923 in Prospect, NY.  She was the only child of the late Clarence H. Nye and Leila Nye (Johnson).

After graduating High School in Pine Bush, NY, she attended Plattsburgh State College in Plattsburgh, NY and received her Bachelor of Science degree in teaching Home Management.  Barbara taught for a year in Corinth, NY.  On June 29, 1945, she married her sweetheart, Richard Theodore Courtright. They were married for 64 years.

Barbara enjoyed substitute teaching in the Junior High School, and, when her children were grown, she realized she loved teaching pre-school children.  She was offered a job to teach at a pre-school in Milltown, not far from home in East Brunswick, NJ and she happily took the job.  Barbara taught pre-school for eleven years, realizing this age was her favorite to teach!

Barbara enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing.  There was always a freshly baked cake, pie or cookies when family or other company were to arrive.  She was an adept seamstress, making clothes for her children when they were young as well as Halloween costumes for her grandchildren. Singing in choruses and participating in musicals during high school and college were activities that were part of Barbara’s love of music. She joined the church choir at First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown, finding enjoyment in singing anthems and hymns.  Another favorite pastime was meeting on Friday nights at friends’ houses to play bridge.

Whenever Richard was promoted, the family moved, which happened three times before he retired.  Once established in their new residence, the most important next step for both Richard and Barbara was to find a home church. Barbara was always involved in the Presbyterian Church, no matter where they lived. The church and her religion were always a prominent part of her life.  She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over fifty years.  When retirement came, after much research and travel, Richard and Barbara moved to Wilmington, NC. Barbara became an avid golfer and thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Women’s Golf League at Echo Farms Golf Club.  After Richard passed, Barbara became a volunteer for Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, which she felt was her way to give back to the same organization who had helped her husband before he passed.

Entertaining and spending time with family and friends was one of Barbara’s joys. She was known for her kindness, hospitality and enjoyment of conversation. She also felt being actively involved in her church, which encompassed many roles, was another joy and important to her and her faith.  Barbara believed, stated many times, that everyone needs to keep trying, to keep moving and that will keep you going and staying young, along with eating four raw almonds every day!

Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Richard Theodore Courtright, Sr. She is survived by her two daughters, Pamela Sampson, Janice Courtright and wife Diane, and her one son, Richard Theodore Courtright, Jr. and significant other Peggy. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Kim Albritton and her husband Jason, Meredith Danner and her husband Justin,

Ken Sampson and his wife Laura, Jennifer Siegfried, John Durner and his wife Brittany and Richard Theodore Courtright III; along with ten great-grandchildren:  Gabriella and Annabelle, Annika, Lukas, Grayson and Madalyn, Landon and Weston, Colton, and Adeline.

Those who have known and loved her are cordially invited to attend a Memorial Service, which will be held at The First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown, 298 Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ on Saturday, August 26^th at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown to the “Building on Generosity” Fund.

Funeral arrangement have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown NJ 07840.  Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.cochranfuneral.com