Mary Lee McCourt passed away on July 2, 2026 after a long battle with numerous cancers.  No one fought the battles quite like Mary Lee did.  She accepted each diagnosis as the next challenge she had to fight until the final diagnosis of liver cancer.  She then accepted that the time was here to enjoy what time she had left with her partner, friends and family.  She chose quality over quantity - she chose - that was the Mary Lee way.  Mary Lee was originally from Columbus, Ohio.  She relocated to The Villages in 2012.

 

She was preceded in death by Bernard McCourt (father), Pauline McCourt Fallon (mother) and Michael F McCourt, Sr. (brother).

 

Mary Lee began her collegiate career at The Ohio State University later transferring to Ohio University where she graduated with her degrees in Physical Education and Health. While at OU, ML participated in three varsity sports (field hockey, basketball and golf).  Mary Lee then went on to The University of Dayton where she received her Master's degree in Edu. Counseling.  

 

She was a teacher at Teays Valley schools for 28 years.  She coached many sports over her tenure.  Mary Lee was an avid golfer.  She coached girls golf at Pickerington Central as well as giving golf lessons at Raymond Memorial, Foxfire and Turnberry golf courses.  After her retirement in 1998, Mary Lee worked with Habitat for Humanity participating in the build of three homes.  She also read admissions applications for The Ohio State University.

 

Mary Lee's many accolades include being a member of the Varsity O Club at The Ohio State University as well as being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at both Teays Valley High School and Grandview Heights schools.  She was a two time winner of the National American Cancer Society Scramble.

 

Mary Lee is survived by her partner, Linda Kay Grubb, niece Kristine (Andy) High, nephews John (Chris) McCourt and Mike (Julie) McCourt, several great nieces and nephews, and a great, great niece and two great, great nephews.  Kristine was often found hanging out in The Villages throughout ML's illnesses.

 

Mary Lee felt blessed to have such an amazing support group from both The Villages and Columbus.  They are too numerous to count or name but you know who you are.  To have had ML in your life was a blessing.  All that knew her could share a story.  All that loved her will revisit those stories in her memory.  That is the way she would have wanted it.  

 

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 22, 2026 from 4:00 to 6:30 at Churchill Recreation Center on Churchill Downs.

 

In lieu of flowers, Mary Lee asks that you remember Cornerstone Hospice Foundation (cshospice.org) who helped keep ML as comfortable as she could be through her final days.