A Legacy of Compassion

Courtney Kathleen Jones Aman (1952–2016) was a beloved art teacher from North Carolina. A vegan since 1980, Courtney dedicated more than 40 years of her life to advocating for the well-being of animals. During illness in her later years, she arranged to leave a legacy of support for suffering farmed animals—Courtney generously willed a $10,000 matching gift to Mercy For Animals. Her gift is now fueling the Summer Compassion Challenge, honoring Courtney’s memory and doubling the impact of other MFA supporters.

Throughout her colorful years as an art teacher, Courtney weaved animals into her lesson plans. Students loved the inclusion of various animals in their art projects and the conversations they were fortunate enough to share with their favorite teacher. A student once asked Courtney if she would have turkey for Thanksgiving. She politely responded that she would not be eating turkey and asked the boy if he could guess why. He inquired very seriously, “Is it cause you’re old and your teeth ain’t no good?” Courtney treasured these teachable moments.

When Courtney recently passed, her sister worked hand in hand with MFA to make Courtney’s last wish come true: to support the well-being of animals.

“We were sisters and friends for more than 60 years. We were witnesses to each other’s dreams, history, disappointments, and laughter. Her physical absence from my life is difficult, but the task she gave me to support animals, ethics, and kindness restores me to strength. There was no question about it, Mercy For Animals was at the top of her list.”

To leave your legacy of compassion, please visit: https://archive.mercyforanimals.org/will/