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MCCOURT, LAFAYE A. A wonderful life spanning almost 88 years has ended with the December 29, 2014 passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother LaFaye Arlene McCourt. Born in 1927, LaFaye was the fourth of the five children of Flossie and Raymond Newman who farmed in Wagner, South Dakota. Being people from simple backgrounds, they taught their children basic family values and to live according to the highest of moral standards. LaFaye and her siblings, younger brother Lincoln and elder sisters Fern, DeElda and Thelma did exactly that throughout their lives, which encompassed the difficult period of the Great Depression and the devastation of World War II. LaFaye was an active and happy child growing up on the farm and she would later tell stories about walking four miles through the snow to school with drifts "up to the roof of the barn." She grew into a beautiful young woman and was a cheerleader at Wager High. After graduating in 1945 she moved to Denver with her parents who had left farming and opened a general store. The following year, a handsome young soldier named Robert McCourt who had been fighting with the 63rd Infantry Division through France and Germany came home to Denver, one of the many heroes of that generation. LaFaye and "Bobbie" met and of course, fell in love and married in 1950. Their family began to grow in 1951 with the arrival of Vicki, followed by Kevin in 1954. Robert, employed by Greyhound Lines, was transferred to Albuquerque in 1962 where Heidi was born that same year. The family prospered and with the passing of years came daughter Vicki's marriage to Jerry Velasquez in 1970 and then the first grandchildren, Candise and Stephanie, who Bob and LaFaye loved to spoil. Heidi would marry Chris Lanes in 1990 and finally Kevin found love in Africa and brought his beautiful Ethiopian bride Amsale home in Albuquerque in 1994. This pair would present Bob and LaFaye three more grandchildren, Ryan, Robert, and Collette, who she was always happy to care for and even initiated their participation in youth soccer. Great-grandchildren followed in recent years when Stephanie married Ben Johnson of Chandler Arizona, and then brought Janelle and Jace into the world. During the 70's and 80's LaFaye volunteered as a pole worker during elections and then during their retirement years, she and Bob travelled often, especially to tropical locals such as Tahiti and several times to the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. But they were most happy when they took along the grand kids, who now cherish those wonderful memories. In early 2013 LaFaye's dear husband of 63 years, Robert passed away at age 89. She lived her remaining days happily cared for be the staff of 'Hilldale House Assisted Living' and by her devoted children Vicki, who often travelled from Phoenix to be with her, Kevin and especially Heidi who was seemingly always by her side. LaFaye's cremation will be provided by Daniels Family Funeral Services.
        Published on: Sun January 04, 2015