Marti Koury
November 9, 1948 – December 31, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Marti Koury who was born in Rivers, Manitoba, November 9th, 1948 and died December 31st, 2021 as a result of an extreme side effect of an arthritis medication affecting her lungs. She beat this, but died of an undiscovered bleeding ulcer which finally cost her life. Throughout it, Marti never stopped smiling or lost her sense of humour.
Marti was a loving mother, wife, sister and friend to many who will miss her deeply. She is survived by her loving husband Carl Koury, children Sean, Erin (Terri-Lynn), Josh, Andrea (Adam), and Mindy (Graham); as well as sisters, Peggy, Joan and Colleen, Brothers Steven, Neil and all their spouses. She also had 9 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who will miss her.
Marti was predeceased by her father Reginald Purcell, a career army medic, and mother Anne Muldowney who worked at DND in Halifax.
Here is a small poem which epitomized her and her children’s feelings:
Nobody else held me so tight
Or made me feel so right.
No one’s eyes shined so bright with love
As our mom, who is now so high above.
As a small example her granddaughter, Alice, said, “Nanny was the best at snuggling because she was so soft and calm.”
Marti was a kind, supportive person sharing her radiant smiles and loving hugs freely and often. According to her sister Colleen, “Marti never smiled more than when she was holding her babies and grandbabies.”
Marti was an intelligent, well-educated independent woman, who earned a College Business Diploma, a B.A. at St. Mary’s University and a B.Ed. at Mount Saint Vincent University all in Halifax. She always stood by what she believed. Effective, especially accompanied by her rarely used “Irish” temper!
Marti taught First Nation students in Whitedog and Fort Hope, Ontario. She taught with the Kenora Board of Education (special needs) at Pinegrove and Evergreen Schools. She later worked and retired after a long career as a literacy consultant, helping adults with disabilities at K.A.C.L. in Kenora. She was a natural teacher and caregiver and made lifelong friends with co-workers as well as clients and their families!
Always loved and remembered!
A private ceremony (party) will be held by her family to be followed in the spring by a celebration of life in Kenora at a time and place yet to be chosen.
Friends and relatives are invited to donate to the Arthritis Research Canada in her memory through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca
