Evelyn H. Portz, devoted wife, mother
Evelyn H. Portz, 86, of Milford, died Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Portz was born July 25, 1928, in San Diego, Calif., daughter of the late Rear Admiral and Mrs. Lee R. Herring.
She attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Shortly thereafter she was employed by the federal government and worked in the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. She married and later moved to Milford with her family in 1955. She was a devoted wife and mother.
Mrs. Portz was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Milford, and was also active in the Girl Scouts, Milford P.T.A., Milford Garden Club, Ladies’ Auxiliary at Milford Memorial Hospital, and was a trained volunteer for the Court Appointed Special Advocate program (CASA). She was an avid bridge player, and loved to travel, read and knit. Among her fondest memories were summers spent at the beach with her family.
Mrs. Portz was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Dr. W. Philip Portz; and her brother, William O. Herring.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Thomas Portz, and Robert and Barbara Portz; seven daughters and four sons-in-law, Cynthia Murphy, Carolyn Holisz, Julia and Gerald Hoyt, Virginia and Edward Carney, Sherill and Robert Russel, Susan Portz, and Katherine and John Spangler; 14 grandchildren and their spouses, Ashley Reynolds, Clarissa Chenoweth, Ian and Jessica Murphy, Christopher Murphy, Eva Holisz, Jason and Siobhan Hoyt, Jordan Hoyt, Katie and Sarah Russel, Cecelia Portz, and Eric, Brian and Melissa Spangler; six great-grandchildren, Grace Melton, Miles Sparrow, Searlait, Mairead and Ronan Hoyt, and Leighanne Portz; her brother, James Herring; her niece and husband, Laura and Carl Barnett; her great-niece Charlotte Barnett; and great-nephew Paul Barnett.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., Milford. Burial will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Donations can also be made online at www.delawarehospice.org
Online condolences may be made by visiting: www.rogersfhmilford.com
Arrangements handled by Rogers Funeral Home, Milford.
