Obituary of Frances Mildred Portley

Portley, M. Frances (nee Wise) of Mahwah died peacefully Thursday, January 28, 2016 at her home with her family at her side at the age of 101. Born in New York City she grew up in Hillsdale/Woodcliff Lake and lived for the past fifty years in Mahwah. Fran attended Duke University and was enrolled in the Honors English Program. She was a poet who was published in the best selling anthology, When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple. Fran was an accomplished artist, avid gardener and volunteer. She was involved with the Midland Park and Mahwah Senior Centers. She was a former parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church, Mahwah, NJ. Surviving are her devoted children, Mary Weyant of Mahwah, NJ and Peter Portley of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Also surviving are her loving seven grandchildren, Christianne Struble, Linda Tevis, Karen Calhoun, Robert Weyant, Laura Kearney, Elizabeth Wathen, and Jeanne Dentz, and her 16 great grandchildren and her sister, Patricia Lamb of Mahwah. She was predeceased by her husband Edward L. Portley in 1978, her son, Henry “Hank” Portley and her brothers, Andrew Wise and Henry Wise. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 3-4 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. A Prayer Service will be held on Sunday at 4 pm. Private Cremation was held. In lieu of flowers donations to a Charity of Choice would be appreciated.