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

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/daily care 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 

GoFundME 

We Love the Lenaburgs - Team Courtney Fundraiser

PayPal

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,