Courtney Daffinrud M’10

Courtney Daffinrud, St. Johnsbury, VT, died July 26, 2024. A graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy and the University of Vermont before her Saint Michael’s master’s studies, Courtney was the first of seven children.

Growing up as the oldest in a big, loud family, Courtney never took the spotlight, always preferring to observe her siblings, while they shined, sang, and made her laugh. If you were lucky enough to sit right next to her, you may get her razor-sharp narrative of an event, but she was never going to fight for airtime.

Throughout her childhood, Courtney excelled in school, played sports, and helped to wrangle her many younger siblings. She was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis when she was 11 years old and navigating her many health challenges only seemed to make her stronger and more capable. She beat all the odds forecast by her illness, and surpassed so many predictions to have a thriving family and career.

While studying psychology at the University of Vermont, Courtney discovered a passion for working with children on the autism spectrum, particularly those with profound verbal and functional challenges. She became laser-focused academically and professionally, knowing at a young age that she wanted to help children with this profile to find their way in the world. Shortly after graduating from UVM, Courtney worked at the May Center on Cape Cod, gaining skills and finding inspiration that would fuel her career.

It was at the May Center that she met Eric Daffinrud. The two fell in love and were married in 2006. She and Eric built a beautiful life for their family in Kirby, VT, where they renovated a farmhouse so their three children could access the amazing community at Riverside School. Her family loved gathering at her house.

Throughout her life, Courtney continued to pursue her passion for helping children. After obtaining her master’s in psychology from Saint Michael’s she became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Shortly thereafter, she began to build her dream – a center where children of the Northeast Kingdom in need of intervention could attain life-changing services. Kingdom Autism & Behavioral Health Services was born out of Courtney’s love for working with these children and grew to be a hub of autism services in Vermont. Courtney mentored staff members, developed curriculum that would serve this niche of children, and made a lasting impact throughout the state.

Courtney is survived by her husband, Eric Daffinrud, three children, her parents, four sisters, two brothers and extended family.