Jean Lenore Wirtz

Jean was born in Tacoma, Washington and moved to Portland, Oregon in her early childhood to the East Moreland neighborhood. She attended Washington High School and went on to attend University of Oregon where she was in Phi Beta Kappa Beta Sorority.

When Jean finished college she began working at Lyman Slack Chevrolet where she met the love of her life Bill Wirtz. She was a strong, passionate, and compassionate woman, the center of her family.

Jean and Bill were married in 1951, and started a family. At that time, Jean became a stay at home Mom until her children were older, but worked for many years up to her retirement as an Administrator for Orthopedic Doctors. After Jean’s retirement, the next 10 years she drove for the American Red Cross.

Jean enjoyed traveling and volunteer work for the church. She spent her days doing aerobics swimming, and her favorite hobby playing Bridge.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Bill.

She is survived by her three children, Skip Wirtz (Sheri), Sally Ross (Toby) and Steve Wirtz, her 5 grandchildren, Kerry (Luis) Patlan, Jennifer Lewis, Todd Lewis (Amanda) Timothy Lewis & Erin Wirtz, 2 great grandchildren Stephen and Hailey Patlan, sisters Doris Nyland and Mary Edwards and many nieces and nephews.

At the request of Jean donations may be made in her memory to St. Theresa Catholic Church or American Cancer Society.

AFTER GLOW

I’D LIKE THE MEMORY OF ME TO BE A HAPPY ONE.

I’D LIKE TO LEAVE AN AFTERGLOW OF SMILES WHEN LIFE IS DONE.

I’D LIKE TO LEAVE AN ECHO WHISPERING SOFTLY DOWN THE WAYS.

OF HAPPY TIMES AND LAUGHING TIMES AND BRIGHT AND SUNNY DAYS.

I’D LIKE THE TEARS OF THOSE WHO GRIEVE TO DRY BEFORE THE SUN

OF HAPPY MEMORIES THAT I LEAVE WHEN LIFE IS DONE.