Eleanor Doremus Courter

Eleanor "Ellie" Courter (née Doremus), age 97, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, in Dallas, Georgia. Born on August 15, 1928, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Ellie lived a long and love-filled life that touched generations of family and friends.

Ellie was the daughter of Warren Speer Doremus and Edna Bartsch Doremus and grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. She graduated from Montclair High School before attending the New Jersey College for Women (now Douglass College within Rutgers University) in New Brunswick, where she majored in Spanish. Her education reflected her lifelong curiosity and appreciation for language and culture.

She married James Lewis Courter, Jr., at the Congregational Church in Montclair-a place that held deep spiritual meaning for her throughout her life. Together they built a home filled with love and faith. Ellie was first and foremost a devoted mother whose life revolved around nurturing her family. Her unconditional love and constant care were the foundation of her relationships with her four children: Jim Courter (Chelle), Jeff Courter, Sue Thach (Tom), and Beth Courter (Keith Renford).

Her legacy continued through her nine grandchildren: Angela Courter Sherman (Ruben), Dave Courter (Kellie), Stephen Courter (Elizabeth), Robert Thach (Dominique), Casey Courter (Brooke), Katie Thach Harris (David), Jonathan Courter (Courtney), Michael Courter (Rebecca), and Alex Woods (Alyson). Ellie's joy multiplied with the arrival of nineteen great-grandchildren: Talia, Joshua, Shaltiel, Adiya, Odelia, and Lielle Sherman; Jeremiah and David Courter; Ava and Luke Courter; Olivia and Caleb Courter; Benaiah, Eve, Madeleine, Viva, and Barnabas Thach; and James and Matthew Harris.

Ellie's warmth extended beyond her immediate family to all who knew her. As a young wife and mother living in Bowie, Maryland, she was recognized by her community as "The American Woman," an honor that led to her being featured on the cover of the December 22-29, 1962 issue of the Saturday Evening Post. This recognition captured not only her grace but also the admiration she inspired among neighbors and friends.

Throughout her life, Ellie remained deeply rooted in faith. She cherished the Congregational Church in Montclair during her youth-a sanctuary of comfort where she found solace-and later became an active member of Presbyterian churches in towns where she lived. Her relationship with her Lord grew ever more personal over time, guiding her through life's joys and challenges.

Ellie was predeceased by her beloved husband Jim; by her parents; and by her four brothers-Warren, George, William, and Robert Doremus-each of whom held a special place in her heart.

To those who knew Ellie-as Mom, Grammie, Aunt, or friend-she was a source of unwavering love. Her passing on Valentine's Day is a poignant tribute to a woman whose life was defined by compassion. May her memory bring comfort to all who were blessed to know her.