Eugenia “Jean” Portelli

Jean Portelli, aged 83, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully with her family on August 5, 2019, at Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods.  Born April 21, 1936 to the late Helen Naruc (née Rapacki) and Boleslaw Naruc, she is also preceded in death by her grandson, Vincent Gerard Portelli.  Jean is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 60 years, Vincent George Portelli, children Debra (James) Bickham, Mark (Mary) Portelli, David (Dawn) Portelli, Anne (Larry) Foreman, and James (Peggy) Portelli; her 11 grandchildren: Cynthia (Michael) McCracken, Theresa (Jayson) Morris, Stephanie (Arthur) Treusch, Joseph (Stephanie) Bickham, Michael (Lauren) Portelli, Brian Portelli, Katherine Portelli, Megan Foreman, Matthew Foreman, Rosie Portelli, and Elizabeth Portelli; 8 great grandchildren (Courtney, Katelyn, Allison, Jay, Emily, Brooklyn, Landon, and Veronica), as well as her dear sisters, Victoria and Lydia, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends.  Jean’s family extend their deep gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the staff and nurses at Trillium Woods.  Born in Utica, New York, Jean spent most of her childhood and adult life in Detroit, Michigan and the suburb of Livonia.  She graduated with honors from Northwestern High School in Detroit.  Upon graduation, she was immediately hired as an administrative assistant in the investment department of the National Bank of Detroit, after securing the highest score recorded for their entrance exam.   Jean met the love of her life, Vince, and married in 1959.  Jean and Vince dedicated themselves to raising 5 children, always stressing education, faith and respect for others.  While raising a young family, Jean attended Madonna College and Schoolcraft College in Livonia, MI, to pursue her interests in literature and psychology. In the 1980’s, Jean began working as an advocate for the elderly at Citizens for Better Care.  After their children graduated, Jean and Vince moved to Schererville, IN, for 2 years, and thereafter to Albany, New York for 7 years.  While in the Albany area, Jean worked as an administrative assistant in the African American Studies and Psychology Departments at the State University of New York at Albany.  Following their time in Albany, Jean and Vince lived in Westlake, Ohio, for 7 years, before settling in Grand Rapids in 1998.  Jean and Vince have made several lifelong friends everywhere they lived.  In Grand Rapids, Jean dedicated much of her time to charitable activities, including support for the “Soups On” event.  As a woman of strong Catholic faith, Jean was privileged to bring the Body of Christ, for almost 20 years, from St. Roberts Church, to some of the community’s frail elderly.  Jean learned some ASL (American Sign Language), because she felt that communication with the Deaf Community was vital to an understanding between the deaf and the hearing world.  To those who knew Jean, we will miss her sincere, warm and welcoming nature, as well as her optimism, wisdom, graciousness, and sense of humor. We will miss confiding in a truly loving and understanding wife, mom, grandma, nana, great grandma and friend.  We will miss the company of a remarkable woman of incredible mental, emotional and spiritual strength.  We are comforted with the knowledge that she has received her heavenly reward for a life well-lived.  “My life has been blessed with a devoted mother; caring sisters; a happy marriage to a great guy; a good, loving family (who could ask for better children, children-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren); and dear friends.  Sorrows that did come my way were eased by Jesus through those loved ones who understood, cared and consoled.  What a Charmed Life I have had.  THANK YOU GOD.”  The family will greet friends and relatives on Thursday, August 15 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst  Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, Rosary at 7:30 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, August 16 at 11AM at St. Roberts of Newminster, 6477 Ada Dr SE, Ada, Rev. Leonard Sudlik presiding.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made to St. Robert Catholic School, 6477 Ada Drive SE, Ada, MI  49301 or Food for The Poor, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073, foodforthepoor.org.