Stella Shirleen Courtoy Rutig

Stella "Shirleen" Courtoy Rutig, 81, passed away in The Villages on Monday, June 3, 2019, surrounded by family. Shirleen is predeceased by her husband, James "Jimmy" Dominic Rutig, parents John "Ernest" and Olivia Ellen Day Courtoy and brother, Richard "Dayle" Courtoy. Shirleen was born on August 23, 1937 in Bushnell, Florida and lived her entire life in Leesburg. Her childhood was influenced by her grandparents Ernon and Stella Day of Wildwood, and Morris St. John and Salley Ann Ward Courtoy of Leesburg. Shirleen was a loving daughter to Ernest and Olivia, a devoted mother to her three children, James Michael Rutig, Sandra Lynn Rutig, Nancy Rutig (Gordon) Reid, and an adored Nana to Nicole (Sean) Blevins, Katie (Travis) Blevins and Jamie (Greg) Jamanila. She received "great joy" from her three great-grandsons, Donivan and Noah Blevins, and Dominic James Jamanila. Nana was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Jamie and Greg's baby in January 2020. She was grateful for her niece, Dena Courtoy-Goldberg's ability to provide comfort and wisdom. Other nieces and nephews include Olivia "Britton", Lindsay, Amanda, Jeff, Eddie, Gina, Tommy and Angela, and Godchild, Kaylie. Shirleen loved spending time with family and rarely missed an event or a ballgame of her children, granddaughters and great-grandsons. She loved a good fish-fry, often from the catch of her father, brother, granddaughters and grandsons (everyone seemed to inherit the fishing-gene). She was a great story-teller and often shared stories of her family growing up in Leesburg. She shared her knowledge of gardening that she learned from her parents with her grandchildren. She helped in the family flower business, Tropical Glad Packers, in Leesburg. She enjoyed reading, painting, gardening and all of the family traditions of the Holidays. Shirleen was a member of First Baptist Church, Leesburg and was influential in the Spiritual growth of her family and enjoyed attending Bible classes with her friends. She loved going to the movies and shared this joy with her family and friends. She loved to socialize and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Shirleen was a stay at home mother, often volunteering at Skeen Elementary School where she was a homeroom mother and active in PTA activities. Later, Shirleen worked in preschool at Lake Christian School, Jack and Jill Preschool, and as the Director at First Baptist Child Development Center. She later worked as a Legislative Assistant for Representative Everette Kelly. Shirleen was an optimistic, happy person and simply delightful. She enjoyed doing kind things for others. In lieu of flowers and in honor of our Mother and Nana we ask that you perform a random act of kindness in her memory. Services will be at Beyers Funeral Home Chapel, 1123 W. Main Street, Leesburg, FL on June 8, 2019 at 1:30 p.m., with viewing from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Stella Shirleen Courtoy Rutig

August 23, 1937 - June 3, 2019