Dianna "Jo" Bortz
Dianna “Jo” Bortz, of Allegan, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 10, having been struck from behind as she waited to turn into her Lake Allegan neighborhood. She was born in South Bend, Indiana on September 26, 1941.
She is survived by her husband Jay, and children Joel Cullum of Bristol,Tennessee, Lisa Burkard (husband Michael) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Douglas Cullum (partner Tim Mizrahi) of Los Angeles, California, and her three much loved grandchildren, Owen, Grace, and Joel Burkard of Charlotte. Her mother, Cordia Bender of South Bend, Indiana also survives. Being an only child, she especially enjoyed joining Jay’s larger family. She personified “the good stepmother/grandmother: to Joanna Daga (husband David) or Toronto, Ontario and their children, Robert and Elizabeth.
Jo retired after a satisfying career in Green Thumb Senior Employment and as an Adult Protective Services Worker in Columbia, S.C. She was passionately involved with the Bach Festival Chorus of Kalamazoo. She also was a member of the Allegan Music Club, the Allegan Friends of the Library, the Allegan District Library Trustees, her book and bridge groups. She was a seriously committed Christian, being an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Saugatuck, and also served as a direct patient-caregiver through the Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan. With Jay she was very active in Holland/Lakeshore PFLAG. She was a good and loyal friend to many.
Jo and Jay enjoyed many trips to other countries and cultures, visiting art museums and historic sites, and making random discoveries. Jo very much enjoyed her home especially during Advent and Christmas!
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bach Festival Chorus at 1200 Academy Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 or the Memorial Fund of All Saints Episcopal Church at P.O. Box 189, Saugatuck, MI 49453.
A visitation with family will be held Friday, December 17, 2010 from 4-6 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 252 Grand Street in Saugatuck. Her memorial service and Eucharist will be held Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church followed by a luncheon and time with the family and friends. Private interment will occur in the All Saints’ Memorial Garden at a later date.
