Obituary of Courtney Grace Verhelst

February 21, 1993 – Kelowna, British Columbia

August 19, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Courtney Verhelst, beloved partner of Andrew Clark and daughter of Bentley and Lisa Verhelst, passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022, at the age of 29 years.

Courtney was born in Kelowna, BC on February 21, 1993, and moved to Calgary with her family in July 2000. She graduated from Lord Beaverbrook High School in June 2011.

Courtney had a smile that lit up every room she walked into and a laugh that was infectious. She had a burning passion for dance and expressing herself through music and movement. Her talent was undeniable, and she passed on her gift to many students over the years. Through her choreography, she expressed her creativity. She also used her love of baking and handcrafting to bring pleasure to her family and friends. Courtney truly enjoyed life to the fullest through the simplest of pleasures: staying up late laughing with Andrew and her family, walking or snuggling her fur babies, and running around with her nieces.

We will miss her endearing way of making us feel so special, so welcome and wanted, because family meant the world to her. She always went out of her way to check in and say, “How are you?” even when she didn’t have the words to tell you how she was. She always thought of others with a generous heart. She had an irreplaceable type of quirkiness and charm and will be most remembered for her kind and loving spirit. She will be forever remembered and cherished as a light in all our lives. We love you, Courtney, and you will forever remain in our hearts.

Besides her loving partner, Andrew, and parents, Ben and Lisa, Courtney is survived by her little brother, Bryce Verhelst, sister-in-law Isa Lesniczuk; sister Kayla Verhelst, brother-in-law Brandon Kruger, sister Lindsay Verhelst, brother-in-law Sebastian Poirier; and beloved nieces Audree and Gracie Poirier.

“Let it be”

A Celebration of Courtney’s Life will be held at 903 Sabrina Road SW, Calgary, AB  on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes, in Courtney’s Honour, may be made directly to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 105, 1040 – 7 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3G9, Telephone: (403) 297-1700, Website: https://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/.

In living memory of Courtney Verhelst, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.