Memories of Maura Foy Coursey

In memory of

Maura Foy Coursey

Princeton, NJ

October 18, 1994 - January 22, 2023

Oct 18, 1994 - Jan 22, 2023

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Maureen Simes

Shared a heart

Monica Hilding

Maura at a couple of Shannon's birthday parties

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Maha Mash

Shared a heart

Lya Yang

Maura was the most interesting person I'd ever met (honestly, probably still the most interesting person I have ever met). We only went to middle school together for maybe two or three years, but she instantly became one of my best friends during that time. I remember a lot of laughter whenever we were together.

Although we fell out of contact in more recent years, Maura is and will always be one of the brightest, most powerfully shining parts of my memories from a frustrating and uncomfortable age. She made me feel seen and safe and accepted, and exactly right just the way I was. She made me feel like I was brilliant too, just by nature of being in her presence.

I don't know if I have specific memories anymore, but I have many snapshots and impressions of time together. I can see us sitting on a bus together. Hear her giggle at something maniacal we've just done. Playing music together (a talent both of us tried to hide, once upon a time). Drinking coffee in the sun while she tells me every single detail about the science behind cutting weight (for boxing, which I have no experience in, and probably never will, but any information Maura shared with me always felt like small treasures, fascinating, sparkly, given and collected). I remember her pestering me to play a specific passage she loved from a Chopin piece, one more time, for the hundredth time, and me hounding her one summer to send more mp3 files of her singing.

Once, we went to the old Rio Grande train station when it was completely empty, sat on opposite ends of the cavernous hall, and held so still and silent until we could hear each other whisper.

Maura from my memories was brilliant, sharp, somehow excellent at everything, also sensitive, kind, an amazing storyteller, and deeply caring. During the times we did touch points in adulthood, she was always doing a million unique and fascinating things, and always in the middle of helping someone. The Maura that lives in my brain is casually outlining a detailed plan for world domination and dismantling all the injustice that ever existed. I still haven't fully processed that she's not here anymore. I'm so sorry to Mary, Jeff, Kate, and the countless other family and friends who deeply feel this loss. Maura has made a lasting impression in my heart.

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Maureen Simes

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George Schoemaker

Maura Coursey singing "Martinmass Wind" with Stonecircle for a benefit concert.

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Angie Jenson

Christy Cedeno

Melissa Figueroa

Diane Mattocks

Maha Mash

Maureen Simes

Comments:

Don and Kathy Pedersen

Great voice! Great voice! Great voice!

Patricia Renzetti

So beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

Gree Herring

She did not feel well that evening and still shared her heart, soul, and talent at the benefit concert. She did not feel well that evening and still shared her heart, soul, and talent at the benefit concert. She did not feel well that evening and still shared... Read more

Maha Mash

Absolutely adorable voice! May her soul RIP❤️💕 Absolutely adorable voice! May her soul RIP❤️💕 Absolutely adorable voice! May her soul RIP❤️💕

Brew Lira

I have made my photo album of Maura on FB public for anyone who would like her photos or videos of muay thai life:

https://www.facebook.com/medi…

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Comments:

Maha Mash

Thank you for sharing Thank you for sharing Thank you for sharing

Jodu Brings

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Maha Mashni

Brew Lira

2018, Sandy, UT, USA

lunch time!

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Christy Cedeno

Mary Johnston-Coursey

Maureen Simes

Brew Lira

2021, Sierra MMA, South 1300 East, Sandy, UT, USA

My first time back at the gym after i broke my foot.

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Christy Cedeno

Mary Johnston-Coursey

Maureen Simes

Comments:

Mary Johnston-Coursey

Thank you Brew. These pictures capture the joy and love Maura felt with all of her Mauy Thai family. Thank you Brew. These pictures capture the joy and love Maura felt with all of her Mauy Thai family. Thank you Brew. These pictures capture the joy and ... Read more

Daphne Perry

Shared a heart

Anna Sterling

Shared a heart

Charlie Moore

Shared a heart

Kim Duffy

When Maura described her adventures in boxing, or the work she was doing for the IRC, I remember thinking — she does not shy away from the hard things in life. She seeks them out. She was tender and tough, wise beyond her years. I’m grateful to have known her. Hank, Claire, and I are thinking of All of you.

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Maureen Simes

Claire Melton

Dear Courseys,

I was devastated to hear about Maura's passing. She was one of the best friends I've ever had. She (and all of you) have always been in my thoughts, even when we lost touch a bit, and every time I heard about her I felt proud to have known her. The last time I saw her she introduced me to her cats, whom I could see she just adored, and she seemed to be very happy. She was such a remarkable person, so full of life and energy and completely unique unto herself. She always had a passion to help her community and anyone who she felt was being wronged in any way, and the tenacity to back up her words. It's no surprise that she dedicated her life to helping others, and I'm sure that she changed lives in her short time on this earth. She certainly changed mine for the better. She was golden: warm, bright, and undeniably Maura, and it saddens me to live in a world without her in it.

Thinking of you always and especially now,--Claire

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Mary Johnston-Coursey

Jessica Tully

Maureen Simes

Comments:

Mary Johnston-Coursey

Claire, this is so beautiful. Thank you for such a heartfelt and articulate sharing. You have really captured... Read more Claire, this is so beautiful. Thank you for such a heartfelt and articulate sharing. You have really captured Maura's spirit here.... Read more Claire, this is so beautiful. Thank you for such a ... Read more

Patricia Renzetti

Dear Mary and Family, My heart is with you. I know you will have a long journey through this, but will survive. She sounds like a truly amazing child. So full of life. May you continue with your own beautiful work. Thank you for sharing her story with me. Love, Patricia Renzetti

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Mary Johnston-Coursey

Jessica Tully

Comments:

Mary Johnston-Coursey

Thank you Patricia. She was pretty awesome, and somehow I know that our lives' work will now be changed by... Read more Thank you Patricia. She was pretty awesome, and somehow I know that our lives' work will now be changed by having known her. Love... Read more Thank you Patricia. She was pretty awesome, and somehow... Read more

Pamela Silberman

Dear Mary and Jeff,

I wanted to share my condolences with you as someone who thought very highly of Maura.

I hired Maura for her position at the IRC and was her direct supervisor for nearly 2 years. We worked closely on several projects and during that time I grew very fond of her, both personally and professionally.

I found Maura to be a smart, funny, thoughtful, and honest person. She always brought great ideas to the table and wasn’t afraid to try new things even if they might not succeed.

I was thrilled for Maura when she was accepted to graduate school and was confident she would go on to do great things.

I was devastated to hear the news of her death and I have thought of her often in the intervening months.

As a parent myself of a young woman on the cusp of independence, I can only begin to imagine your heart break and pain. Please know that your family is in my thoughts as you make your way through the grieving process.

Wishing you peace and comfort,

Pamela Silberman

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Mary Johnston-Coursey

Jessica Tully

Maha Mash

Maureen Simes

Comments:

Mary Johnston-Coursey

Thank you Pamela, so much, for your memories and your thoughts. Thank you Pamela, so much, for your memories and your thoughts. Thank you Pamela, so much, for your memories and your... Read more