Wallowa, Oregon
Phyllis Anne Courtnay, a long-time Wallowa County resident, died Jan. 29, 2007, in Union. She was 74.
Mrs. Courtnay was born Sept. 10, 1932, to Ernest and Florence Eastman in Adrian. She was raised in the Adrian area and graduated from Adrian High School in 1950.
On April 12, 1953, she married Clinton Courtnay. They lived in California while Mr. Courtnay was in the Navy, then moved to Idaho, and later to Wallowa where they raised four children. She was a dedicated wife and mother devoted to the care of her husband and children.
She supported her husband in his many dreams and ventures; together, they ran a sheep ranch, traveled, worked on motels, and bought a commercial fishing boat.
After her husband’s death in 1989, Mrs. Courtnay moved back to Wallowa County and spent the remainder of her independent years cleaning houses, caring for the elderly and babysitting. She faced life with determination, courage and faith.
She served in the Assembly of God churches both in Wallowa and Enterprise and supported missionary work and children in other countries even when she had to sacrifice to do so.
The last few years of Mrs. Courtnay’s life, she lived with Jim and Melody Huitt and their family in Union as they cared for her after a stroke.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clinton and her siblings Bob Eastman, Julia Parks and Alice Margaret Eastman.
Survivors include her children and their spouses Susan and Leo Gorbett of Cove, Bill and Janet Courtnay of Battleground, Wash., Julie and R.D. Hostetler of Billings, Mont. and Joe Courtnay of Milwaukie; 11 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and siblings, Ruth Paulus of Spokane, Wash. and Jim Eastman of Adrian.
Memorial contributions can be made to Samaritan’s Purse in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main, Enterprise 97828.
Services have been held.
Wallowa County Chieftain, February, 8, 2007