J.R. Courtman

Dr. Courtman was born in Worcester, MA and was the daughter of the late Joseph P. and Delima M.R. Sampson. She grew up in Shrewsbury, MA and graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1963.

She was predeceased by her former husband and best friend, Arthur Courtman. She is also predeceased by her sister, Shirley S. Smith of New Hampshire and her brother, J. Allen Sampson of Florida.

She is survived by her three daughters, Dr. Jessica Emery (Andrew) of Charleston, SC; Ashley Whitehouse (Joseph) of Hingham, MA; and Hilary Ross (John) of Northbrook, IL; her brothers David P. Sampson (Elizabeth Griffin) of Bourne, MA; John D. Sampson (Karen Nordstrom) of Charlton, MA; A. Wayne Sampson (Catherine) of Bourne, MA;, sister Linda Sampson (Mark Mowrey) of Kensington, MD; eight grandchildren and 18 nieces and nephews.

She graduated as a Dental Hygienist from University of Bridgeport, CT and later graduated as Doctor of Dentistry from Tufts University. She established and maintained her own dental practice in Worcester MA for over 20 years before retiring. Dr. Courtman was an active member of the Worcester Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. She was active in several organizations in the city of Worcester with a special interest in the Worcester Art Museum.

J.R. was a strong advocate and supporter of women’s rights and was actively involved in all aspects of the Equal Rights Amendment during the 1980’s.

J.R. was an avid outdoor enthusiast who loved biking across America, downhill skiing at Mt. Wachusett, across the United States and throughout Europe. She enjoyed working around her home, which included anything from gardening to constructing antique brick patios. She spent summers driving her restored 1975 Volkswagen convertible with the top down. She was known for her insistence in posing the seven siblings in birth order for family photos and was always the first in line when ice cream was being served. She never passed up an invitation to a party and hosted many formal gatherings at her home in Worcester.

There will be a wake at Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd., Bourne MA 02532 on Tuesday August 13, 2024 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. A celebration of life will immediately follow the wake, starting at 3:00 PM at Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home.