Martha Alice Thomas Coutchie, a longtime teacher, coach and hall of famer, is being remembered by friends and colleagues as both dedicated and fun-loving. Coutchie, 88, died Wednesday at Life Care Center of Yuma after a long illness. She was born Jan. 23, 1920, in Adair, Oklahoma, had lived in Phoenix, attended the University of Ariona from 1938 to 1942 and moved to Yuma in 1946.
Sports were always part of her life, along with teaching art and physical education and coaching girls tennis. Coutchie was inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame not once, but twice.
The first honor was bestowed at a halftime during a football game in October 1990. Her sports resume listed field hockey, basketball and softball.
Her swimming honors were setting the 50-meter state freestyle record in 1938 and being anchor of the state record relay team in 1939. For archery, she was state champion in 1941, named outstanding sportswoman in 1942.
She was also president of the Women's Athletic Association, Mortar Board and Spurs, plus honoraries in journalism and art.
Second induction was in October 2007 for meritorious service to the UA in sports. Another Yuman, Maxine Dick, also reeived this honor.
Coutchie also taught in Phoenix before moving to Yuma and at San Pasqual High School in addition to Kofa and Yuma High.
Her family life was important to her. She and Robert Coutchie were married in Phoenix on Dec. 23, 1942. He was a coach for Little League and Babe Ruth sports in Yuma.
Her survivors include her husband; their children; Robert (Michele) of Las Vegas, Edward of Aliso Viejo, CA., Richard of Gilbert, and Alison (Robert) Boyd, of Manhattan, Kansas.Six grandchildren, and Two great-grandchildren. Their son Jackson died in 1963 at age 15.
Viewing will be from 4 to 7 PM. Tuesday at Yuma Mortuary, 551 W. 16th St. Services will be at 9 am Wednesday at the Yuma Mortuary, following by burial at Desert Lawn.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Human Society of Yuma, Alzheimer's Foundation of America or to a charity of choice.
Sports were always part of her life, along with teaching art and physical education and coaching girls tennis. Coutchie was inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame not once, but twice.
The first honor was bestowed at a halftime during a football game in October 1990. Her sports resume listed field hockey, basketball and softball.
Her swimming honors were setting the 50-meter state freestyle record in 1938 and being anchor of the state record relay team in 1939. For archery, she was state champion in 1941, named outstanding sportswoman in 1942.
She was also president of the Women's Athletic Association, Mortar Board and Spurs, plus honoraries in journalism and art.
Second induction was in October 2007 for meritorious service to the UA in sports. Another Yuman, Maxine Dick, also reeived this honor.
Coutchie also taught in Phoenix before moving to Yuma and at San Pasqual High School in addition to Kofa and Yuma High.
Her family life was important to her. She and Robert Coutchie were married in Phoenix on Dec. 23, 1942. He was a coach for Little League and Babe Ruth sports in Yuma.
Her survivors include her husband; their children; Robert (Michele) of Las Vegas, Edward of Aliso Viejo, CA., Richard of Gilbert, and Alison (Robert) Boyd, of Manhattan, Kansas.Six grandchildren, and Two great-grandchildren. Their son Jackson died in 1963 at age 15.
Viewing will be from 4 to 7 PM. Tuesday at Yuma Mortuary, 551 W. 16th St. Services will be at 9 am Wednesday at the Yuma Mortuary, following by burial at Desert Lawn.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Human Society of Yuma, Alzheimer's Foundation of America or to a charity of choice.
Martha Alice Thomas Coutchie, a longtime teacher, coach and hall of famer, is being remembered by friends and colleagues as both dedicated and fun-loving. Coutchie, 88, died Wednesday at Life Care Center of Yuma after a long illness. She was born Jan. 23, 1920, in Adair, Oklahoma, had lived in Phoenix, attended the University of Ariona from 1938 to 1942 and moved to Yuma in 1946.
Sports were always part of her life, along with teaching art and physical education and coaching girls tennis. Coutchie was inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame not once, but twice.
The first honor was bestowed at a halftime during a football game in October 1990. Her sports resume listed field hockey, basketball and softball.
Her swimming honors were setting the 50-meter state freestyle record in 1938 and being anchor of the state record relay team in 1939. For archery, she was state champion in 1941, named outstanding sportswoman in 1942.
She was also president of the Women's Athletic Association, Mortar Board and Spurs, plus honoraries in journalism and art.
Second induction was in October 2007 for meritorious service to the UA in sports. Another Yuman, Maxine Dick, also reeived this honor.
Coutchie also taught in Phoenix before moving to Yuma and at San Pasqual High School in addition to Kofa and Yuma High.
Her family life was important to her. She and Robert Coutchie were married in Phoenix on Dec. 23, 1942. He was a coach for Little League and Babe Ruth sports in Yuma.
Her survivors include her husband; their children; Robert (Michele) of Las Vegas, Edward of Aliso Viejo, CA., Richard of Gilbert, and Alison (Robert) Boyd, of Manhattan, Kansas.Six grandchildren, and Two great-grandchildren. Their son Jackson died in 1963 at age 15.
Viewing will be from 4 to 7 PM. Tuesday at Yuma Mortuary, 551 W. 16th St. Services will be at 9 am Wednesday at the Yuma Mortuary, following by burial at Desert Lawn.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Human Society of Yuma, Alzheimer's Foundation of America or to a charity of choice.
Sports were always part of her life, along with teaching art and physical education and coaching girls tennis. Coutchie was inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame not once, but twice.
The first honor was bestowed at a halftime during a football game in October 1990. Her sports resume listed field hockey, basketball and softball.
Her swimming honors were setting the 50-meter state freestyle record in 1938 and being anchor of the state record relay team in 1939. For archery, she was state champion in 1941, named outstanding sportswoman in 1942.
She was also president of the Women's Athletic Association, Mortar Board and Spurs, plus honoraries in journalism and art.
Second induction was in October 2007 for meritorious service to the UA in sports. Another Yuman, Maxine Dick, also reeived this honor.
Coutchie also taught in Phoenix before moving to Yuma and at San Pasqual High School in addition to Kofa and Yuma High.
Her family life was important to her. She and Robert Coutchie were married in Phoenix on Dec. 23, 1942. He was a coach for Little League and Babe Ruth sports in Yuma.
Her survivors include her husband; their children; Robert (Michele) of Las Vegas, Edward of Aliso Viejo, CA., Richard of Gilbert, and Alison (Robert) Boyd, of Manhattan, Kansas.Six grandchildren, and Two great-grandchildren. Their son Jackson died in 1963 at age 15.
Viewing will be from 4 to 7 PM. Tuesday at Yuma Mortuary, 551 W. 16th St. Services will be at 9 am Wednesday at the Yuma Mortuary, following by burial at Desert Lawn.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Human Society of Yuma, Alzheimer's Foundation of America or to a charity of choice.
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