Following a courageous fourteen-month battle, Courtney Alison Wetzel, 45, passed away peacefully at her home in Stamford, CT on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Courtney was born June 3, 1980, the daughter of Robert and Sara Jepson Wetzel.
She loved growing up in Ashtabula, spending summers at Redbrook Cottages, acting in several Arts Center productions, and golfing with family at Ashtabula Country Club. She was fortunate to be surrounded by family and enjoyed countless gatherings and outings with them.
Courtney attended and became a member of East Side Presbyterian Church. She was also very involved in the First Methodist youth group as a teenager. Courtney graduated as Salutatorian of Edgewood Senior High School Class of 1998. She represented her school and hometown as a Blessing of the Fleet Queen, as a three-time VFW Voice of Democracy winner, and as an Academic Challenge and Scholastic Bowl competitor.
During four years at Denison University in Granville, Ohio, she served in multiple leadership positions in Delta Gamma, a women’s fraternity. Their motto, “Do good,” was exemplified by Courtney throughout her life.
At Denison she served as Adytum Yearbook editor and founded the Women’s Club Golf Team, before graduating in 2002 with degrees in Economics, French, and Communications. Despite being an Economics major, Courtney convinced her parents to send her to France twice to study. She took full advantage of her opportunities to travel around France and Europe, adding to her love of adventure, learning history, and enjoying each country’s cuisine and culture.
In 2003, Courtney moved to Connecticut to begin her career at Riverside Yacht Club (Riverside, CT). This decision turned out to be the best decision of her life, and Courtney found joy every day in her role as Club House Manager.
Daily interactions with the membership created strong ties that reached across generations. It was her absolute pleasure to work alongside the dedicated staff to plan and execute celebrations and events for the RYC community. Assisting them with their weddings, birthdays, funerals, regattas and other key events was an incredible experience. The fact that they entrusted her with these cherished events made her 22- year tenure rewarding and exciting.
Throughout her career, Courtney was an active member of the Connecticut Chapter of the Club Management Association of America, serving as Education Chair, Public Relations Chair and President of the chapter. She valued and enjoyed the camaraderie of her colleagues and the educational opportunities offered locally and at the CMAA World Conferences.
Courtney’s love of travel was fostered at an early age with memorable Spring breaks in Saint Simons Island, Georgia; summer trips to Cape May, New Jersey; and an Amtrak trip out West with grandparents and cousins. She could find an adventure in any town. More recently Courtney enjoyed traveling with her parents to the Finger Lakes, Bermuda, and England.
Her parents enjoyed their frequent trips to Connecticut. Almost every visit included a drive to a unique destination in that beautiful state, always with a history lesson and an amazing meal to complete the day.
Courtney planned and surprised her parents with once-in-a-lifetime experiences: Ryder Cup in Medinah, Illinois, the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and a Rhine River Cruise. Her yearly trek home included visits to the wineries, Lights on the Lake, and a shopping excursion on Bridge Street. Being with family on holidays was always a special event, and Courtney took great pride in hosting the holidays in her home.
Courtney was preceded in death by her grandparents: Warren and Joanna Jepson, Arthur and Marjorie Wetzel; uncle, Ralph Rose; uncles and aunts: Clay and Susan Wetzel Hayward, Bill and Carolyn Wetzel.
She is survived by her parents; her aunts: Karen Rose, Beth Jepson, and Elaine Robinson; aunts and uncles: Alan and Judy Jepson, Jim and Elaine Wetzel; cousins: Molly Rose; Jeff and Kelly Rose: Lucas, James, and Abigail Rose; Allyce and Bryce McKenney; Benjamin, Chloe, and Amilya McKenney; Andrew and Nichole Jepson; Jeffrey Jepson; Eric and Elizabeth Wetzel; Evan and Emory Wetzel; Keven and Jody Grove; Rhen Grove; Angela Hayward and Kai Hayward.
Courtney is also survived by her Connecticut family: Gary and Stephanie Dunn Ashley and their two daughters, Anneliese and Charlotte. She was welcomed into that family upon her arrival in Stamford in 2003. They enjoyed weekly dinners, themed road trips, holiday celebrations, and all milestone events for 22 years.
Donations in Courtney’s memory may be made to East Side Presbyterian Church, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, or a charity of your choice. Envelopes for contributions will be available at the funeral home and the church.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Nov. 30, 2:00 -6:00 at Fleming-Billman Funeral Home, 526 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula, Ohio.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 at East Side Presbyterian Church, 3440 Edgewood Drive, Ashtabula, Ohio. Interment will be at Mentor Municipal Cemetery.