Barbara Todt Coury, 88

ADAMS, Mass. —  

Barbara (Todt) Coury passed peacefully on June 6, 2024 in the arms of her loving family at her summer home in Adams, MA at the age of 88. She was also a resident of Lake Worth, FL for many years. She was born on July 19, 1935 in Adams, MA, a daughter of late Harold and Mabel (Derosia) Todt. She was the beloved wife for 66 years of the late Albert Coury, Jr. who passed on May 29th, just one week before Barbara. She is survived by her children, Curtis Coury and his wife Liza of Adams, MA; and Caroline Ghidotti and her husband David of North Adams, MA; grandchildren Jacob Coury of North Adams, Cori Ghidotti of Boulder, CO, and Colby Ghidotti of Boulder, CO; great grandchildren Alexis Gamari and Aiyanna Gamari, of North Adams, MA, brother William Todt and his wife Kaye of Kennett Square, PA; as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends all over the country. She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Jessica Coury, on Sept. 1, 2012.

Barbara attended schools in Adams, MA and graduated from the former Adams High School with the class of 1953, graduating Pro Merito with the last class to graduate from the high school on Liberty Street in Adams. Barbara played clarinet in the high school band and orchestra, participated in Junior Prize Speaking, and was a member of several committees and organizations. She was Captain of the AHS cheerleaders, taking great pride in her school, and was always friendly, encouraging, and enthusiastic at all the athletic games. Barbara had been a coordinator of her class reunions for many years. During high school, Barbara was a member of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a Masonic organization, in North Adams and went through all the “chairs” to become Worthy Advisor.

In September 1953, Barbara was accepted into the Drafting Training Course at the Pittsfield, MA General Electric Co.. She graduated from the course at the top of her class, and worked as a draftsman from 1953-1961. She worked in the Naval Ordnance Department until she and her husband started their family.

In February 1956 Barbara was crowned the Pittsfield Winter Carnival Queen. During the next year, Barbara supported and attended many Berkshire County functions as she gracefully upheld her duties as Winter Carnival Queen.

On December 30, 1955 she met the love of her life, Al Coury, while attending a local dance with her girlfriends. Al was the drummer in the band, and although they never met prior, their love story began that special night. While they continued their courtship, Barbara helped Al and his family on opening night of the newly built Coury’s Drive-In Theater in North Adams on June 15, 1956.

On February 15th, 1958 Barbara married Al in a beautiful wintery Valentine wedding at the First Congregational Church in Adams, MA. They ventured off to Florida the next day in their car for the honeymoon of their dreams, only to wake up to one of the biggest snowstorms of the season at their first stop in New York. Two newlyweds in love…nothing would stop them!

In 1961, Barbara and Al purchased the Hoosac Drive-In Theater in Adams, MA, their competitor at the time. Barbara then ran the Hoosac Drive-in Theater, while Al ran the Coury’s Drive-In Theater. Barbara was instrumental in doing all the office work for both drive-ins. They ran both seasonal drive-ins for 36 years, until the Hoosac Drive-In closed in October, 1989, and the Coury’s Drive-In closed in September, 1992.They took tremendous pride in creating and maintaining what many called “the most state-of-the-art and cleanest drive-in theaters around”!

Barbara was an active member of The First Congregational Church in Adams, MA for nearly 70 years. Her church family was extremely meaningful in Barbara’s life. She was a longtime member of the Board of Deaconesses, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and served on the Flower Committee. Upon moving to Florida, Barbara and Al enjoyed attending weekly church services and concerts at Spanish River Church in Boca Raton, FL and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Barbara’s steadfast faith and her relationship with God was instrumental in how she lived her life every day. She was always smiling, loving, patient, thoughtful, forgiving, supportive, encouraging, adventurous, generous, hard-working, kind, and had the best sense of humor & contagious laugh. As soon as you were in the presence of Barbara, she made you feel cared for. Her spirit was warm, pure, joyful and her true beauty flowed endlessly from the inside out. She was the most gracious hostess by making everyone who walked through their doors, feel like family. She loved to welcome and entertain family, friends, neighbors, old and new, into their home showering them with her delicious homemade American and Lebanese cuisine. She was an amazing cook and passed down her love of cooking to her daughter Carrie and granddaughter Cori. Barbara was a friend that everyone wished for…not a day went by that she wasn’t thinking of her friends & family. She was the “queen of cards” and would send a card to everyone and anyone she knew to let them know she was thinking of them, for any occasion. And her thank you notes were keepsakes, written with such heartfelt love and appreciation. Barbara would be the first one at your doorstep delivering her homemade blueberry muffins, banana bread, and many other homemade foods. Her love was endless.

Barbara continually supported her communities by volunteering for several organizations. She was a Berkshire County cancer driver for “Road To Recovery” for 37 years. While residing in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, she volunteered with The Children’s Home Society for 11 years. Then upon moving to Lake Worth, FL she volunteered with Locks of Love for ten years. One of her and Al’s most enjoyable experiences of their summers in The Berkshires, was volunteering as ushers at Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, MA for 15 years. Both Barbara and Al loved all genres of music, with classical and jazz music being their favorites. When they weren’t volunteering in the shed as ushers, you would find them sitting either on the lawn or in the shed enjoying as many concerts as they could at Tanglewood every summer. They also regularly attended Middle Eastern Studies at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and Jupiter for Lifelong Learning classes that they felt enriched their lives and minds. Barbara loved to keep active in any way she could by walking, rollerblading, ice skating, dancing, and gardening.

Barbara & Al were blessed with wonderful friends with whom they remained close with all their lives, while venturing to many destinations around the world together creating irreplaceable memories. Barbara always made a point to have luncheons at her home with her girlfriends dating back to high school, co-workers from GE, old neighborhood friends, and treasured friends she met on the path of life. Barbara & Al had caring and delightful neighbors in both Florida and MA who became like family, and added endless joy and love to their lives. While living in Florida, they kept very active in The Bellaggio Community by being active members of the Italian Club, Jewish Heritage Club, Gourmet Cooking Club, Art Club, Poker Club, Winter Residents Club, and attended many concerts and shows at Kravis Performing Arts Center and the Bellaggio Clubhouse.

Barbara was the matriarch of the family and the glue that held our family together. Family was the most precious gift to Barbara, and she lived every day with pure love for each and every member of her family. She looked forward to the 4th of July sharing in the fun-filled family annual picnic with all her cousins and their families. Barbara’s favorite place on earth was Ogunquit, Maine as she began vacationing there in the summer as a child with her parents and brother Bill. Walking The Marginal Way was, as she would describe it, “Heaven on Earth”. Barbara continued, for decades, the tradition of going to Ogunquit with her family to enjoy the beautiful ocean and beaches, listening to the waves hitting the cliffs, enjoying a delicious lobster dinner, going to see a play at the Ogunquit Playhouse, reliving her childhood memories, and the pure serenity that it brought her. Ogunquit, Maine will forever hold a special place in our hearts and memories.

Barbara was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Barbara put Al and her family first in every regard. Barbara always welcomed her children’s and grandchildren’s friends into their homes and loved making them snacks while they swam in the pool. She was a member of the Hurricane Band-Aides steering committee, and a Cub Scout den mother for Curtis’ Cub Scout group, hosting meetings and special events at their home. She attended all the sporting events, school functions, and milestones of her children and grandchildren’s lives. They could hear their “Situ’s” voice cheering from across the field, pool, track, or room beaming with support and pride. Barbara’s unwavering devotion, love, beauty, and warm hugs will forever be missed and etched into the hearts of each member of her family, friends, and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was the pure essence of grace and beauty, and her love will shine through us every day.

The family of Barbara and Al would like to wholeheartedly thank the caregivers of PPC (Personal Private Care) Agency and Hospice for the love, devotion, dignity, and wonderful care they gave daily to Barbara & Al during their illnesses. We will be forever grateful for each and every one of you.

Funeral services for Barbara and Al will be held on Friday, July 26th at 12 Noon in the First Congregational Church, 42 Park St. Adams, MA. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Friday, July 26th from 10:30 AM until 11:45 AM, directly before the service, IN THE CHURCH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome to be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires, 877 South St. Pittsfield, MA 01201, or the AYJ Fund, 201 Eagle St. North Adams, MA 01247. The PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, Adams, is in charge of arrangements. To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com