Age 83 of Little Silver
The celebration of life will be on Wednesday, August 10th at 4 p.m. at the Rumson Country Club.
Gillian Courtney-Pratt of Little Silver, passed away peacefully at home on July 14, 2016 at the age of 83. She was born to Gladys and Leslie Grundy in London, England. Educated locally but later at Ashford School for Girls in Kent. She went on to Guildford School of Art at which she excelled. She then became a highly competent secretary working amongst others for Adlai Stephenson.
When he was in the U.K., she met Jeofry Courtney-Pratt in Cambridge Where he was a Physics Professor at Gonville and Cavis College. They married in 1957 and shortly after moved to the U.S. When Jeofry joined Bell Labs at Murray Hill, they lived in Springfield, NJ.
When Bell Labs relocated to Holmdel, Jeofry and Gillian bought a plot on Wigwam Road, Locust, where they built a beautiful house overlooking the Navesink River. They developed a superb wild garden, which was their pride and joy. It has been documented by the Smithsonian Institute. Gillian became a member of the Rumson Garden Club, and they both spent many happy times at the Seabright Beach Club.
Jeofry sadly died in 1995, but Gillian stayed at Wigwam Road. Subsequently remarrying to Roger Cormier in 2003. Gillian moved to Alderbrook Road, and joined Rumson Country Club at that time. Gillian was also a keen member of the English Speaking Union. She also much enjoyed her hobby of decoupage with friends, mostly at Susan Karlin’s house where funds were raised for Family and Childrens Service.
Gillian is survived by her brother Nigel, who would very much like to thank Mariam Imnaishvili, who has looked after Gillian for the last six months along with Doreen Caravella. He would also like to mention Ann and Bill Westerfield; also Fred Shipton, these whose love and devotion will never be forgotten.
A celebration of Gillian’s life will be celebrated at a later date. The family requests that memorial donations be made in Gillian’s memory to VNA Health Group Hospice, 176 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, NJ 07701.
The Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank was entrusted with her arrangements.
