Joan Margaret WILLIS

1930 - 2016  (85 years)

• Name	Joan Margaret WILLIS  [2]
  	1930 - 2016 BENNINGTON Our dear wife and mother, Joan Willis Bort went peacefully into heaven's cradle on January 15th, 2016. Born Joan Margaret Willis in Wharton, NJ on Feb 19, 1930, Joan was the first of two daughters born to George and Myrtle (Hulmes) Willis. She was a graduate of Roxbury High school in Succasunna, NJ (1947) and Trenton State Teachers College (1951). In 1953 at Lake Hopatcong United Methodist Church, she met her husband of 61 years, the Rev. David J. Bort and began a lifelong partnership in education and worship. They had two children, David and Susan. Self-taught on the piano at a very young age, Joan had a love of music that never faded. Her passion for music and teaching young children blended to make her a be loved and inspiring teacher who introduced countless children to singing, piano and other instruments for many generations in NJ and VT. She was musical director at Zion Episcopal Church Preschool in Manchester for 15 years where she taught with dear friend and colleague, Kathy Penge. She played organ for many years both at West Arlington and Sandgate United Methodist Churches, her beautiful voice leading the congregations even while at the organ. She particularly loved organizing and helping children to sing Easter and Christmas music at her churches. Piano duets with her dear friend, June Bentley, was another great joy. She was involved in numerous community choral groups over the years: Dorset Madrigal Singers, the Arlington Chorale, Bennington County Choral Society and special performances and sing-alongs such as Carmina Burana with VSO and St. James' annual Messiah. Joan enjoyed traveling as well and was fortunate to have visited the Holy Land, Kenya, Egypt, the Caribbean, much of Europe and the entire US. Visiting the beaches of the Normandy landings and meeting Bishop Desmond Tutu were some of the highlights of her travels. In addition to travel, she and her husband shared a love for 4 wonderful and long-lived cats they had over the years: Blynken, Tanya, Buffer and Dickens. Joan's dedication and partnership to her husband and his ministry cannot be overstated. She was the ultimate partner working not only at the organ but behind the scenes as well. Their shared ambition for giving of themselves for the greater good of community both near and far - was always evident. The world will truly miss Joan's generous and joyous spirit. Joan is survived by her loving husband, David; son, David; daughter, Susan; son-in-law, Chuck; sister, Jean Martin (George); nephews, Gary Martin (Bill) and Douglas Martin (Martha); niece, Pamela Schumacher (David); grandchildren, Julienne and Jaxton, and numerous cousins, grandnieces and grand-nephews. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bennington/obituary.aspx?n=joan-bort-willis&pid=177398925&#sthash.ERc7zk3m.dpuf Posted on Find A Grave by Allan C. Martin [1]
  Census	1930	Living with parents in Newark, Essex Co., New Jersey   [2]
  Birth	19 Feb 1930	Wharton, Morris Co., New Jersey   [1, 2]
  Gender	Female
  Census	1940	Living with parents in Jefferson, Morris Co., New Jersey   [3]
  Death	15 Jan 2016	East Arlington, Bennington Co., Vermont   [1]
  Person ID	I95727	Main Tree
  Last Modified	1 Jul 2019

  
  

  Father	George Callahan WILLIS,   b. 27 Jun 1895, Hurdtown, Morris Co., New Jersey d. 25 Dec 1958, Dover, Morris Co., New Jersey (Age 63 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Mother	Myrtle Chapman HULMES,   b. 10 Sep 1901, Lake Hopatcong, Morris Co., New Jersey d. 9 Feb 1989, Lake Hopatcong, Morris Co., New Jersey (Age 87 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Marriage	17 Oct 1929	New York   [4]
  Family ID	F39840	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Rev David James BORT,   b. 19 Dec 1926, Saginaw, Michigan d. 21 Aug 2017, Bennington, Vermont (Age 90 years)
  Family ID	F39843	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	1 Jul 2019

  
  

• Sources

  [S10709] Find A Grave: Obituary Notice for Joan Margaret Willis Bort . [S10566] 1930 Census Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. [S10486] 1940 Census Jefferson, Morris County, New Jersey. [S10375] Descendants of Aaron Willis by Jim Kays.