Courtney Jean (Nascimbene) Gurley

Courtney Jean (Nascimbene) Gurley, 43, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at the home she shared with her partner, Emerson Zook, and their son.

Courtney is survived by her five beautiful children, Nyiah (19), Stephen (17), Chevi (12), Heaven (10) and Emerson (2).

Courtney Jean Nascimbene was born at Mountainside Hospital, N.J., to Patricia L. Nascimbene and Stephen E. Wortman. From an early age, Courtney showed a talent for drawing. She was ambidextrous and could sketch anyone, anything, quickly and beautifully, simultaneously using both hands.

Courtney attended North Putnam High School, obtained her GED and soon after became a certified EMT. Courtney dabbled in several different careers — fast food, construction for Carr Homes, as an independent tattoo artist and in the middle of winter, helped build the current boat slips at Heritage Lake Marina.

Courtney was very proud of all her accomplishments but her absolute proudest moments were the births of each of her five children.

Courtney was preceded in death by her beloved maternal grandparents, Leon and Jean Nascimbene, and by her cousin, Jessica Nascimbene. She was also preceded in death by her father, Stephen E. Wortman of New York, her grandparents, Harry and Marilyn Wortman, and her uncle, Jeffrey Wortman.

Besides her five children, Courtney is survived by her mother, Patricia Nascimbene, and her brother, Thomas Sherwood. Courtney leaves on Earth many close relatives, uncle Paul (Denise) Nascimbene, uncle Thomas (Annelee) Nascimbene; aunt DeeAnn Yorkovic; cousins Julie (Matt) Abney and Lee (Lana) Nascimbene, and their children Max, Liana and John, as well as Beckham, cousin Jessica’s son.

Courtney was a bit of a “different drummer,” rarely going along with societal expectations. But Courtney had a good heart, and family was very important to her. “La Famiglia e tutto.” Courtney looked forward to a future with her partner and all her children, and now will be watching them from Heaven.

Memorial service and celebration of life is set for 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Heritage Lake Clubhouse, 1000 Clubhouse Dr., Coatesville, IN 56121 (lower level).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Courtney’s name to one of the following:

• National Down’s Syndrome Society (NDSS) — www.nedss.org

• Recovery Raw, Putnam County — recoveryraw.org

• Humane Society of Putnam County, P.O. Box 444, Greencastle, IN 46135