Courtney P. Rapp Obituary
Courtney Jane Parady Rapp, 77, of Rockport, a cherished wife, mother, nana, sister, auntie, and friend left us on April 29, 2025. Born on July 17, 1947, Courtney lived a life filled with passion, love, and service to others. In the last part of her life, she endured the effects of Lewy Body Dementia that came with many challenges. She never lost her spirit, love for life or her love for all the people she was important to.
Courtney's death leaves an unfillable void in many people's lives. She is survived by her loving husband William of Rockport, daughter Rechele Jordow (Niklas) of Melrose, MA, son Corey Rapp (Tiffany) of San Diego, CA, son Daniel Rapp of Pigeon Cove, MA, grandchildren Hannah and Nellie Jordow, Jack and Evan Rapp, and Kaiden and Isabella Rapp, and her loving dog Samara. She is also survived by brothers Ralph Parady (ME) and Joel Reiter (Charlotte) (CA), uncle and aunt Dwayne and Carol Smith (MA), sister-in-law Jill O'Reilly (MA), sister-in-law Nancy Rapp (Clay) (CA), brother-in-law Steve (Paula) (CO), numerous cousins, God children and 16 nieces and nephews, 23 grand nieces and nephews, 14 great-grand nieces and nephews, and an immeasurable number of life-long friends. Courtney was proceeded in death by her father, Charles (Eddo) Parady, her mother, Eleanor O'Reilly, step-father Charles O'Reilly, sister Janice Spurlin, and step-brother Dan O'Reilly.
Courtney considered herself a "Covah". She graduated from Rockport High School in 1965. She went on to also graduate from Chandler School for Women, and later took classes at Salem State University. She worked as a service rep at NE Tel and Tel, a business manager for The Framery in Rockport, and was a home health aide. She volunteered at Rockport Sunday schools and preschools, and as an advocate for adults with special needs. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Sandy Bay Preschool. For over thirty years, Courtney owned her own business A Touch of Peace, where she provided massage and polarity therapy for hundreds! (Her most famous client was Tom Selleck).
Courtney had a strong Christian faith and loved attending church in Rockport. As a child she attended the Pigeon Cove Chapel. She was baptized in the Rockport Methodist Church, was a member and was married in St. Mary's Episcopal Church and later became a member of Old Sloop: The First Congregational Church. Courtney and Bill wintered in Bonita Springs, Florida and when there, attended Reverend Russ Winn's Sunday services at The Springs of Bonita Outdoor Church.
Courtney had many life experiences and interests. She was an avid gardener, knitter and crocheter. She liked the outdoors, read and go to "book club". She was a writer and a poet, and dabbled in tarot reading. Courtney was counted on to bring her world-famous chocolate cake to every gathering. Courtney loved dancing with her favorite dance partner, Billy. She was an admiring Elvis fan, a semi-pro hula hooper and could "do the twist like we did last summer". Courtney liked bareboat chartering in the BVI and because of family kinship, she enjoyed traveling to CA, Sweden and France.
Courtney was a local watercolor artist. She enjoyed learning about painting and capturing works of art on paper wherever she went. Her love of painting and artwork was a gift she handed down to all her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Many experienced her dragging out her art supplies for them, and giving them an art lesson around the dining room table.
As anyone who knew Courtney knows, she loved the beach. She had a reserved spot in a beach chair on Old Garden Beach. The beach brought her refuge, relaxation, energy, comfort, connection and sunshine. Wherever she traveled, having a beach to visit was a criteria for the perfect vacation. If you were fortunate to enjoy the beach with Courtney, you know she always took "a dip", admired the color of the water, valued a beach nap, played, problem-solved, reflected and prayed at the beach. She always had the best tan!
But more than the beach, Courtney's greatest love was family. She leaves behind a legacy for how to "make memories". She embodied the best of qualities: unending generosity, strength of spirit and unconditional love. She was a beacon of light that will extend beyond this generation.
Bill and family would like to thank all of Courtney's friends and care-givers for their support, meals, visits, prayers, and encouragement throughout the course of Courtney's illness. A special thanks is extended to her home-health aides and Care Dimensions Hospice, Home MD, and Senior Care staff.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 5-7p.m. Funeral service will be held at The First Congregational Church, 12 School Street, Rockport, MA., on Saturday, May 3, at 11a.m. Followed by graveside interment at Beach Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to, The Educational Foundation for Rockport (EFR) PO Box 836 Rockport, MA 01966 or http://www.rockportedfoundation.org. Care Dimensions Hospice Suite B102 75 Sylvan St. Danvers, MA 01923 http://www.caredimensions.org. The First Congregational Church 12 School Street Rockport, MA 01966 or [email protected], or a charity of your choice in Courtney's memory.
