Catherine Olivia Courtney

Catherine Olivia Courtney, 61, died on Monday, April 7, 2014. She was born on September 10, 1952 to her parents, Patricia Lee Wilson Courtney and the late Roy Conrad Courtney. Catherine is survived by her mother, Patricia Wilson O'Donoghue; and siblings, Jay Steven Courtney of Benton, Lawrence W. Courtney (Peggy) of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. and sister, Leigh Patricia Thomas of Little Rock. Catherine attended Little Rock public schools, UALR, Marymount in Virginia, and graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia with a degree in Philosophy and secondary degree in Childhood Education. Catherine was a free spirit and lived life on her own terms. She lived most of her adult life in New York, Belgium, and California, but returned home to Arkansas in 2008 to live out the remainder of her life. She considered herself to be an artist, and took almost childish delight in all things beautiful: friendships, books, movies, jewels, vibrant colors, animals and nature. She was a political activist and reveled in the passage of laws to protect people and the environment. She was very spiritual and shared views with friends from all over the world with whom she was in constant contact. The family wishes to thank her many teams of doctors and nurses at UAMS who guided her through a year and a half of treatment against a rare and invasive cancer. The family also wishes to thank the very caring staff of Arkansas Hospice at St. Vincent's Hospital. After cremation, interment will be at a later date in the Wilson family plot at Hope Cemetery in Imboden, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity in memory of Catherine Olivia Courtney. May she rest in peace. Online guestbook available at www.arkansasfuneralcare.com.