Bessie G. Courtsunis a 69 year resident of Newburgh, passed away at CareOne at Valley in Westwood, New Jersey, on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. She was 96.
Born in Sparta, Greece on November 30, 1920, she was the daughter of the late John and Demetra Sklevas Skoutakis.
Bessie was a devoted wife of 50 years to her late husband George and loving mother to her children: John Courtsunis and his wife Christine (Ostner) of Newburgh, NY; Clovia Feldman and her husband Alan of Old Tappan, NJ; Demetra Ouellette and her late husband Joseph of Franklin, MA; Joanna Haber and her husband Ira of San Francisco, CA; and Mary Uslander and her husband Daniel of New York City. Bessie was especially devoted to her six grandchildren: Andrew Feldman, George and Gus Courtsunis, Zachary Haber and Genevieve and Harris Uslander. Bessie is also survived by one brother, Peter Skoutakis, of Greece and many nieces and nephews in both Greece and the United States. Bessie came to America in 1947 with her husband George to build a better life. She was very proud to become an American citizen. She loved her church and was an active member in the St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptohos Society. Bessie loved cooking, baking and gardening, especially growing her prized beefsteak tomatoes. And last but not least, she enjoyed working in the family business, Commodore Chocolatier.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8pm on Friday, March 3 at Brooks Funeral Home 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Trisagion Service will take place at 7pm. A Funeral Service will be celebrated at 12pm on Saturday, March 4 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church: burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, PO Box 2004, Newburgh, NY 12550, or a charity of your choice.

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