Marcia A. Courtois
RICHFORD: Marcia A. Courtois, 74, passed away on February 2, 2023, at UVM Medical Center after a recent acute illness. She was born on June 10th, 1948, the daughter of Richard Courtois Sr. and Hortense (Langlois) Courtois Bluto.
Marcia was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in St. Albans, with the class of 1966. Later that year, she gave birth to her daughter, Chari, beginning her favorite role in life, as Mom.
When Chari was three years old, Marcia met a widower with three young children, Marvin Austin. They married that year and soon after, her son Richard joined their blended family. Marcia helped instill morals, values, and a strong work ethic in all her kids, as well as introducing them to the faith she so strongly believed in. She was so disappointed when St. Anne’s elementary school closed, and her children had to attend public schools. She loved celebrating each child’s birthday with their favorite meal and cake of their choice, as well as giving them a chore free day. She was a lover of holidays, putting on huge feasts, and year after year, honoring the same traditions that instilled so many fond memories in her children and family.
Marcia was also cherished by her three siblings, although would tell you she often felt like the underdog, being the middle child that is until her brother Tim was born when she was almost 12 years old. Marcia was the Mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, Aunt, and cousin that you’d want in your corner. If you had shown her any love, she would always keep in touch, and let you know she was thinking of you.
Marcia touched the lives of many underprivileged, and the downtrodden. She was the first to root for the underdog and offer any form of support to anyone in need. She loved talking on the phone. This sentiment was clear in her final days when her loved ones reminded her that they loved that most about her, and will miss that special connection.
Marcia’s marriage to Marvin ended in 1978. She would later go on to meet her life partner through mutual friends of theirs, a man from Virginia, Ron Burkholder. Ron would later become her caregiver, as she became weakened by COPD. They shared many years together, and she would tell you he was her soulmate.
Marcia is survived by her partner of 40 years, Ron Burkholder, her children, Vicki (Glenn) Krajniak of Lynn Haven, FL, Allen (Dawn) Austin and Terry (Diane) Austin of Swanton, VT, Chari (Richard) Andersen of Franklin, VT, and Richard (Cindy) Austin of Fairfield, VT. Her 14 grandchildren: Jonathan, Nicholas (Stella) and Gabrielle Krajniak, Phillip, Chris and Ryan Austin, Jason, Terry and Faith Austin, Cara Andersen, Calli (Andrew) Mahoney, and Eric (Jess) Austin, Eliza and William Austin. Marcia also had 12 great-grandchildren, Sebastien, Remy and Roen, Connor, Alexis, Jason, Tannis, Lucas, Kaislee-Rose, Aspen, Esther, and Ruth.
Marcia is survived by her two brothers Richard “Rick” Courtois and his wife Laura Penn Courtois, who is also her lifelong friend, who she’d tell you she knew before Rick did, and she loved her first! (of Mooers, NY), and her “baby brother” Tim “Toot” Bluto (Rena) of Highgate, VT, and also his stepbrother, Wayne (Lori) Bluteau of Beekmantown, NY.
Marcia felt very blessed with all her nieces and nephews and their families. She kept in touch with a special few of them, especially Chad and Corey Bluto, who were by her side in her final days.
Marcia is also survived by her lifelong friend Kathleen Langlais of Williston, whom she spoke with on a regular basis, along with multiple former in-laws that were very special to her, as well as her special cousin “Tina Dale” Russin who was by her side until the end.
Marcia was predeceased by her father Richard Courtois Sr. when she was 10 yrs. old, mother Hortense Bluto in 2015, and her sister Brenda Beshaw in 2017.
Marcia’s family would like to recognize the nursing staff of NMC’s ICU, and UVM’s MICU for their extraordinary care, Amy Lumsden, case manager at UVM, as well as Dr. Skyler Lentz of UVM’s MICU team for their kindness and compassion towards our family in Mom’s final days.
Forever in our hearts … to the moon and back, luvu2, As big as the world!
Per Marcia’s wishes, there will be no services held at this time. She chose for her family to have a Life Celebration in her honor, at their convenience.
Memorial contributions in Marcia’s memory may be made to any charitable organization.
