HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island lost a good friend with the recent passing of Courtney Call.
Call, 43, was a Holmes Beach resident who spent several years working as a bartender at the Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach and at TommyKnockers Saloon in Bradenton Beach. She leaves behind her 16-year-old son, Matthew Curry.
Christina Redden created a GoFundMe fundraising account for Matthew.
“On Saturday, June 5th, we lost a beautiful soul, Courtney Call. Courtney passed suddenly in her sleep overnight, leaving behind her 16-year-old son, Matthew. This page was created in advocacy of Matthew for his mother’s cremation and for his financial needs moving forward. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated. Many thanks to all for your love and support,” says the statement Redden posted at the fundraising page.
The GoFundMe page can be found at: https://au.gofundme.com/f/courtney-call-memorial-benefitting-matthew-curry.
A celebration of life will be held at TommyKnockers Saloon in Bradenton Beach at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 18 – with a sunset memorial on the beach across the street from the Wicked Cantina and TommyKnockers.
The Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach will host a small memorial ceremony and a large fundraising event and auction for Matthew at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23.
According to Anchor Inn owner Darla Tingler, Matthew was visiting family members in Maine at the time of his mother’s passing. Tingler said Call worked off and on at the Anchor Inn for eight years.
“Courtney would do anything for anybody. She would help someone else before she took care of herself,” Tingler said.
Regarding the June 23 fundraiser, Tingler said, “We’ve had a tremendous response to our request for donations. William Annis, from Island Vacation Properties, had one property owner donate a two-night, weekend stay at a beachfront home; and Jeff Higgins is helping us set up an online auction. Check the Anchor Inn’s Facebook page for fundraiser updates and donation opportunities.”
When asked about Call’s passing, TommyKnockers’ owner Frank Commendatore said, “I loved her like family. That fiery redhead will be sorely missed. She was a beautiful, kind-hearted soul.”
Courtney remembered
Call’s passing prompted several Facebook posts from those who knew and loved her.
In her post, Pamela Lazaroff wrote, “Our friend Courtney Call had one of the biggest hearts on the Island! She will be greatly missed! Feels like we have misplaced a key puzzle piece in our community. To honor her, we can support each other and carry on her unwavering kindness to those around us.”
Patrick Hannigan’s Facebook post said, “Courtney was one of the first people I met on the Island, she introduced me to many good people, told me ‘who was who,’ helped with whatever came up and always had food and water for Tulley (the lab) at TK’s so he wouldn’t feel left out. She made a fellow ‘Yank’ feel very welcome on AMI! Terrible, terrible loss to the Island, condolences to all.”
Billy Lavelle’s Facebook post said, “She was way too young to leave. Courtney always put everyone else first – sometimes too much, but that was Courtney. If someone needed to eat, she fed them. If someone needed a ride somewhere, Courtney would take them. If you just needed a phone call or a visit, Courtney was there. She had a heart as big as the moon. The few times she would express her anger, that Boston Irish accent would come out and was quite funny to listen to. I will miss you. Fly High with all the angels up in Heaven. Say Hi to Jimmy Heat, Kyle, Rich, Sabrina and all the others gone too soon.”
In her Facebook post, Call’s cousin, Lindsey Umeh, wrote, “She was just a couple months older than me. She was one tough cookie who always spoke her mind and was unapologetic for it. I admired that. She was a great mom to her son and did whatever needed to be done. She lived a tough life but never made excuses. She loved family. I absolutely took for granted her age and time because I thought she had decades left. My heart absolutely breaks for her son and brother. Love ya Court! Hope you’re causing a ruckus already! I have no doubts that you are…”
