Marianne Courtaway

Marianne Courtaway, 69, of Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 after a very hard fought battle with cancer.  
  
She was born on February 15, 1954 in Lima, Ohio to Ray and Margaret Jean (Garver) Cattell. At the age of three she moved with her family to Ayersville, where she graduated from Ayersville High School in 1972. 

On August 10, 1973 she married the love of her life, Jan Courtaway, who survives in Defiance. Marianne worked at Barnes Restaurant in Defiance and on and off for 19 years until the birth of her baby girl, Lisa. She then started a home cake and cookie business which she was well-known for. When her children were in school she would often make baked goods for classroom parties or for Ayersville football and wrestling events, which the students and teachers always looked forward to. She loved to have family over for holiday meals and loved to cook delicious holiday food. Marianne loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart, and she loved going to Ayersville football games, wrestling matches, choir concerts, or anything that they were involved in. She also loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

Marianne is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Jan Courtaway of Defiance, son Ryan (Shawna Coopman) Courtaway of Ayersville, daughter Lisa (Matt) Lorenz of Defiance, and grandchildren Ethan and Katlyn Courtaway of Ayersville, and grandson Austin (Tessa) Shortridge of Fayette, Ohio. Also surviving is her brother John (Kay) Cattell of Defiance, and sister Cynthia Shong of Venice, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Margaret Jean Cattell and a son, Jason Courtaway.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Her family would like to thank the staff at ProMedica Defiance Hospital for their care over the past two years, especially Deb Schroeder.

Memorials are suggested to Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.

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