Patsy J. Portale

Patsy J. Portale, age 81, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 10, 2016.

Patsy was born on May 24, 1935, daughter of the late Emma Florence and Emory Lorenzo Helsley of Edinburg, Virginia. She graduated from Edinburg High school before moving to Washington D.C. and working for C&P Telephone. After marrying Vincent Portale, she moved to Newark, Delaware in 1964, eventually joining Avon Products and working for 25 years before retiring in 1996. She loved to travel, cook and spend time with her children and grandchildren. She traveled to Florida, Myrtle Beach and the Bahamas many times but probably most enjoyed her trip to Ireland with her sister, Fay.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent Portale in 1998; 3 brothers, Raymond Helsley, Emory Helsley Jr., and Donald Helsley; and 4 sisters, Evelyn Kimbrell, Virginia Polk, Edna Helsley and Betty Murphy. A loving wife, mother, sister and friend, she is survived by her children, Anthony (Franny), Joseph (Amy) and Christopher (Debbie); her grandchildren, Marc, Barbara, Gregory, Alexander, Christian, Sydney, Brian, Melissa, Michael, & Jake. She is also survived by her sister, Fay Helsley Kidd along with several nieces, nephews and their families.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12:30 pm on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at St. John the Beloved R.C. Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE, where a visitation will be held from 11 am until 12:15 pm. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mrs. Portale may be made to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read’s Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, DE 19720 or by visiting www.cancer.org.