WESTFIELD – Dr. Mary A. Courtney-Prince, born April 13 1953, died on January 9, 2019 at 6PM. She passed as peacefully as possible in her home, which she loved, in Springfield, MA. She died in the arms of her husband and soulmate of 45 years, Marc H. Prince. The skillful assistance of the Baystate Home Health Services, with both palliative and hospice care, were invaluable; as well as the dedication of family members. Mary fought a brave and patient battle without complaint with neuroendocrine carcinoma but eventually the terminal cancer took all she had to give. Mary was born in Springfield, MA but lived her early years on the family farm in Chicopee, often called Simonich Hill, from her Mother’s maiden family name. She spent the rest of her formative years in Westfield, MA, graduating from St. Mary’s High School. Mary went on to college in Springfield where she met her husband and studied chemistry, with the goal in mind to go to medical school. She did in fact get accepted to medical school back in 1976 and finished her degree as a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. It was a great pride to her family she being the very first doctor. Eventually, she became a cardiac and obstetric anesthesiologist at the prestigious Harvard hospital, The Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. To this day she holds the title of Harvard Faculty, especially after winning the much coveted “Teacher of the Year Award” from the residents and interns at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Tragedy struck Mary down at the peak of her career in the early 1990’s. She was in a horrific automobile accident which broke nearly every bone in her body and left her with a traumatic brain injury, leaving her in a coma for three weeks. Mary never really recovered and was unable to return to medicine. This was a great cross for her to bear, for she loved her job of saving people’s lives in the operating room. In her true spirit of always wanting to contribute with whatever faculties God had left her with, she humbly volunteered to help wherever she could with the assistance of her husband. Some of the volunteer agencies were: The Springfield Mission, Open Pantry Community Services, The Shriners Hospital and Brightside for Children… to mention a few.
Mary leaves behind her beloved husband Marc Prince. Most dearly loved sister Agnes Jenkins and husband Patrick Jenkins, sister Barbara Wall and husband Thomas Wall and brother Thomas J. Courtney II and wife Julia Hollett-Courtney. She also leaves much loved Aunt Barbara Shea and Uncle Charlie Simonich. Finally her most dear nieces and nephews: Mary, Patrick, Christopher, James, Maureen, T.J, Jessica and a sister-in-law Ava and her son James.
Mary will be prepared at the Firtion Adams Funeral Home in Westfield, MA. You may call with any questions, 413-562-6244. There will be no wake or viewing hours in the days before the funeral. The funeral Mass will begin at Sacred Heart Parish on Chestnut St. in Springfield, MA. Promptly at 10:00 AM on January 19, 2019. There will be NO procession to the cemetery directly after the Mass. There will however be directly after the Mass a gathering at the Prince house on280 Washington Blvd. in Springfield, MA to begin on or about 11:30 to 12:00 that day. The reception will last about 1 ½ hours at which point those who sent flowers will be given a chance to take their flowers and bring them to St. Mary’s Cemetery in Westfield where they can lay them on the grave and say their personal goodbyes. A tent will be up until 2:00 to 2:30 so the grave will be noticeable. All flowers should be sent to the personal residence of 280 Washington Blvd. Springfield, MA 01108. No correspondences should be sent to the residence. All correspondence should be mailed to Marc &Mary Prince P.O. Box 80329 Springfield, MA 01138. Any donations may be sent to Sacred Heart Parish 395 Chestnut St. Springfield, MA 01104 or to Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, 175 Dwight St. Suite 207, Springfield, MA 01103. www.firtionadams.com
