JoAnn "Jo" Portman's Obituary
JoAnn Josephine (White) “Jo” Portman
March 27, 1932 – August 17, 2010
Born in Lorain, Ohio, she was the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (nee Barish) Wuitowicz. Orphaned at the age of 3, she later moved to Oberlin, and lived at Green Acres Orphanage. In her early years, she worked at Ben Franklin store in Oberlin at the candy counter. During high school she found her soulmate, high school sweetheart and partner for life, Doren Clemons Portman. After graduating Oberlin High School in 1950, she graduated from the Cleveland School of Cosmetology. In 1951, she and Doren were married in Dallas, TK, where he was stationed in the Air Force. She worked as a stylist during their time in the service, spending a few years in Tucson, Arizona before returning to Oberlin where she made her home for many years before moving to Amherst in 2001.
She had a special interest in enhancing the lives of young children and began a career in early childhood education at a private center in Lorain and later worked in Oberlin as a dedicated educator for the Head Start program for many years. Then together with Doren, they founded Portman Tree Service and for the next 30 years, she relished the friends she made during this time in business. She was active in the community, volunteering in the public schools and was a member of the Oberlin Community Players theater group.
Jo was an artist and enjoyed photography and painting, winning recognition and awards for her works. She became friends of Kjell Sandved and collected his photography from his lifetime work in nature for the Smithsonian. She enjoyed traveling, especially to the west and southwest with a keen interest in American Indian culture. Her true joy was found spending time with her family, preparing meals and celebrating life with those she loved.
She leaves to celebrate her life, her loving husband of 59 years, Doren Clemons Portman; her daughter, Laura Portman Iskenderian; her son, David Portman and daughter-in-law, Becky; her dearly loved Zander and Christopher; the Stevens family; 7 grandchildren and a host of friends.
She was preceded by her grandson, Elvis Ian Iskenderian in 2005; her parents Joseph and Margaret (nee Berish) Wuitowicz; her brothers, Joseph and Steve Wuitowicz; and favorite Aunt Cleo and Uncle Judd.
The family extends their gratitude with sincere appreciation for your comforting expression of sympathy rendered through every act of kindness shown during the time of our bereavement.
You are invited to a celebration of Jo’s life – this is a casual occasion – bring memories to share, food and drink will be served. It will be held Sunday, August 29th from 1p.m. – 5p.m. at the former Single Tree Winery, 12488 Baumhart Road, Oberlin, Ohio. RSVP Laura @ 440-935-1149. Burial at Cleveland Avenue Cemetery, Amherst, is private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Ian Iskenderian to The Treatment Advocacy Center, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 730, Arlington, VA 22203, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating barrier to treatment of severe mental illness.
The Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, is handling the arrangements. To send online condolences, go to www.dovinreberjones.com.
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