Courtney Elizabeth Lenaburg: Aug. 18, 1992 – Dec. 27, 2014

ByMary Lenaburg
 

I miss my girl. I miss her smile and her curly curls. I miss her humming, all day, every day. She made me the mother I am. She taught me how to love. Really love. My life is forever changed in the best way possible. 


Miss Courtney will be laid to rest this Wednesday, December 31. Her arrangements are as follows:


Wake: 
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
6 p.m. – though the night – 8 a.m. next morning. 
St. Mary of Sorrows Parish Center
5222 Sideburn Road
Fairfax, VA 22032


We have made special arrangements with our parish to have Courtney lie in vigil at the church overnight. This is a very special privilege and follows in my families Irish tradition. Family and friends will be with her throughout and all are welcome to come when they can to spend some time with her. We will have the rosary said at 7 p.m.  


All are welcome to come pay their respects, including children no matter their abilities. 


Funeral Mass: 
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
11:00 a.m.

St. Mary of Sorrows Parish Center
5222 Sideburn Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
 
If you are a priest that served at St. Mary’s in the past, or you know us from Youth Ministry or our other Diocesan ministries, PLEASE come and con-celebrate with our pastor, Father James Barkett. We would love to have you join us in this beautiful Mass of celebration. 
 
Once again, ALL are welcome to come honor the life of our sweet Courtney, especially the little ones. Please do not hesitate to bring your whole family to this Mass. 


She will be buried immediately following the Mass at the Historic Church cemetery on Ox Road. Then we will return to the Parish Center for a reception. 
 
Since the church is decorated for Christmas, flowers are not necessary. I know that many of you wanted to send them but the timing of Courtney’s passing dictates how we would adorn the church. We ask that you not send them to the church or funeral home. 

Instead, if you still desire to send send something to honor our Courtney, we ask you to consider one of two options. 
 
First, to make a donation in Courtney’s memory by contributing to our parishes “Capital Campaign Building Fund” for our new church. We are busting at the seams in our current building. 
 
Courtney was a huge part of parish life at St. Mary’s. This community of faith welcomed us with open arms from the beginning. Over the next 15 years, they made the building  accessible for her wheelchair (and others) as well as supporting her receiving the sacraments. The members tolerated every shoe she threw off during Sunday Mass and every happy laugh offered in the midst of prayerful silence. She is loved by so many. Very few people know my name. They always refer to me as Courtney’s Mom. What an honor it has been to be so. 


She would be thrilled to know that people helped make the new building happen in her honor. More room for the wheelchairs, cry room for the melt down moments and accessibility, allowing ALL God’s children to be present in church. 
 
You can make the checks out to: “Capital Campaign Building Fund”.
 
Please write “In memory of Courtney Lenaburg” in the memo line. 
You can mail it directly to the church at:
St. Mary of Sorrows Parish Center
5222 Sideburn Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
attn: In honor of Courtney Lenaburg 
The other option available is to help us retire approximately $27,000 in medical debt left from our Courtney’s care. If you wish to help with that you can donate directly to the PayPal or GoFundMe accounts below or send something directly to our home. If you need the address, just let me know. Email me @ mary_romance@cox.net 

I know that many of you who read this blog are local to the Northern Virginia area. I do hope you will consider joining us for either event to help us celebrate our Courtney. You have played such a huge roll in our lives. It would be an honor to meet you in person. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and support over these last 22 years. I don’t know what we would have done without it.


May God be praised, honored and glorified through all we do and say in the coming days. 


Blessings, 

15 Comments

  1. Mary,
    My wife and I are also frequently known only as Tommy's mom or dad. He has acquired a certain celebrity in two different states. To the point that we've had strangers come up to us in a store asking about Tommy…God bless you all.

  2. You are all in our prayers tonight Mary, and throughout the new year. Love Christine and family, friends, and prayer group up north in Edmonton Alberta.

  4. Thank you for sharing these details of how and when you will be celebrating Courtney's life. I wish I could attend and meet you in real life and give you a big hug, but please know our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Your love and faith have touched me in so many ways and Miss Courtney has touched my life profoundly. It is comforting to know she is in the arms of the Holy Family as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 28, though I shed tears for you and your family as you miss her. God bless you in this coming week.

  5. What a beautiful photo of the Curly One! She continues to light up our lives, Mary. I will be there in spirit over the coming days and it would be a privilege to donate towards the new Church and towards the medical expenses, Thankyou for allowing us to help with this. Many prayers and also tears for you all, blessings xx

  6. We are all with you in spirit now and in the days ahead. Much love and many prayers for peace and comfort to you, Jonathan, and Jerry. Love Christine, Chuck, & Mallory all the way down in Alabama.

  9. If I could, I would attend Courtney's funeal mass with all my sons. my daugther and her son, just to show them just what faith and love can do.
    This moring during mass, I did not pray for Courtney, but asked for her intercession fom my my family. It has been a privilege to follow your journey via the internet. Thanks for your Passionate Perseverance.

  10. Somehow I stumbled upon your instagram account and have just finished reading your story. Wow! The amazing thing is that I live in Charlotte and have met with Bishop Curlin! Wish I was close enough to attend your sweet daughter's funeral mass. Please know you will be in my prayers.

  11. Mary – I can only imagine the emotions you are experiencing. I will keep you daily in my prayers and wish I lived close enough to attend. May God bless you and thankyou for your great faith.

  12. Mary, after passing on your latest updates I've been hearing from many prayer warriors who are grateful that Courtney's passing was peaceful and who continue to pray for your family. We love you!

  14. Dear Mary–

    Whenever we have met, I have been struck by the warmth and breadth of your smile. Little did I begin to suspect the personal challenges you faced. I have been honored to follow in Courtney's bittersweet journey these last days albeit via Facebook. Please know that you and your family are very much in my thoughts and prayers.

    Blessings,

    Hope

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