Portia Elaine (Powell) Bush, 96, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Home in Ogdensburg, NY.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 6th from 10:00 to 11:30 am with a funeral service at 11:30 am at the United Methodist Church in DeKalb Jct. with Martha Helmer officiating and burial to follow in Hermon Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Green Funeral Home in Gouverneur.
Portia was born on July 25, 1927 in a square, brick house between DeKalb Jct. and Old DeKalb to Mildred (Ritchie) Powell and Lloyd Powell. She graduated from DeKalb Junction High School in 1945 and married Charles J. Bush Sr. on May 2, 1946.
Charles and Portia started with a lumber yard and progressed to C.J. Bush Hardware in DeKalb Junction and later opened a hardware store in Gouverneur. The couple retired in 1989 and moved to Florida. As their health declined, they returned to live in Canton.
Besides working tirelessly along with her husband, Portia was an avid bowler and bowled in many tournaments. She had also sung in the church choir and belonged to the DeKalb Junction Methodist Church. Portia enjoyed sewing and knitting when she had time.
Portia is survived by her daughter Phyllis and James Shaw of Heuvelton, 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Charles Sr., her son Charles Jr., her granddaughter Sally, her brothers Richard Powell and Robert Powell.
Memorial donations in honor of Portia are encouraged to the DeKalb Junction United Methodist Church or DeKalb Junction Vol. Fire Department.