Family members carrying the body of former nurse Daphne Louise Courtar to the awaiting hearse.
- EUSTATIUS--Lauded former nurse Daphne Louise Courtar, fondly known as “Dap”, was laid to rest at the Old Church cemetery in St. Eustatius on Sunday, May 10. Pastor Earl Esdaile Jr. conducted the funeral service, which was attended by many persons paying their final respects.
Groups of 15 persons at a time were allowed to enter the church via the front door to say their final goodbye and leave through a side door.
Courtar was born on November 25, 1937, and died peacefully on May 2, 2020. She leaves to mourn her daughter, adopted children and her extended family.
Courtar started her nursing career at Queen Beatrix Medical Center in 1972 and became a legend in the island’s healthcare history. She was known for her dedication to patients, her compassion, no-nonsense demeanour, professionalism and attention to detail.
“Nothing interfered with her doing her job. She would make her rounds on her nightly duty in the days of no electricity, sometimes even doing them alone in the dark. She was highly respected by both her patients and colleagues, many of whom would seek her out for personal advice,” said Aisheline Maduro.
Nurse Courtar was always willing to put in extra time, sometimes doing extra shifts if patients needed her. She also made home visits to help mothers with their newly-born.
If persons needed medical advice, they would turn to Courtar, and regardless of whether the ailment was small or large, she would assist them with advice and care. In 1997, after a 25-year career in nursing, Courtar retired at the age of 60.
Courtar was a member of the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation, sharing her knowledge of Statia traditions. She also was a lifelong member of the St. Eustatius Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She was a member of the church choir and served four years as a community service member.
Her death was not related to the coronavirus pandemic.
