Marie Antoinette (O'Donnell) Portway

MARIE ANTOINETTE PORTWAY (nee O’Donnell), 85, of Tabernacle, NJ, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 25, 2023.  Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of the late John and Catherine O’Donnell (nee Kappes) and was predeceased by her siblings Catherine Gorman (Mike), Anna Villamor (Denny), John O’Donnell (Joyce), Margaret Devine (John), Joseph O’Donnell, and Thomas O’Donnell.

Marie is the Wife of Robert Portway of Tabernacle, NJ, and the loving Mother of Diana Ryan and Nancy Ghicondey (Peter).  She is the adoring Grandmother of Christopher Ryan (Kerry), Shawn Ryan, Christina Ghicondey, and Brittany McCloskey (Sean), and the cherished Great Grandmother of Ellie, Charlie, and Margaret Anne “Maggie”.  Marie is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a lifelong friend, Patsy, who she met at the age of 3.

Marie was always a go-getter in life.  As a child, she parked cars and sold scorecard lineups at Connie Mack Stadium.  She attended St. Anne’s Commercial School and began working full time at the age of 15.  Marie, her dear sister, Margie, and a childhood friend, Aggie, danced on the Original American Bandstand.  Marie and her sister Cassie had a catering business, and she managed a fabric store for many years.  Marie owned a food truck, driving and preparing delicious meals for her customers.  She owned and operated an insurance agency and would travel anywhere to meet her clients.  Marie worked diligently and passionately, all while putting her family first.

Marie lived her life vibrantly and elegantly.  She loved the Lord and the Blessed Mother, her family, the shore, traditions, singing, sewing, cooking, telling stories, making us laugh, and celebrating the big and small joys of life.  She is the strongest woman her family has ever known and will forever be their Guardian Angel.  They will miss that beautiful twinkle in her incredible eyes.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the Church of the Holy Eucharist, 520 Medford Lakes Road in Tabernacle, NJ 08088, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM.  Internment will follow in the BG Wm. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the BRADLEY & STOW FUNERAL HOME, Medford, NJ 08055.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, please donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Marie’s name. (www.rmhc.org)

(BradleyStow.com)

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