Joyce Loraine (Bortle) Sport

Joyce Loraine (Bortle) Sport was born on December 28, 1929, in Painted Post, New York. She was the youngest of five children born to Orin Joseph and Clara Leota Bortle. She made her home in So. California, moving two years ago to live with her granddaughter in Wylie, Texas. At the age of 94, Joyce quietly passed away as her family surrounded her on October 19, 2024. 

Joyce had five children, eleven grandchildren, and several great and great-great-grandchildren. She had an immense love for babies and toddlers, and was a joy to watch when singing songs, reciting nursery rhymes, or throwing little arms high up into the air, stirring great laughter with "How big is the baby"!  

She was generous to a fault throughout her life and was always there when family and friends needed her. Food was always offered as soon as guests walked through the door. 

She joined a bowling league and when her grandchildren were old enough, she made sure to get them their own ball and bag so they could become bowlers. She’d drag whoever was old enough off for a night of living it up drinking and dancing. When she was young, her family gathered around the kitchen table playing cards. She kept her love of cards until her eyesight blurred just a couple of years ago. She was even in a billiards league at one time. But, her all-time favorite pastime was Bingo. If you happened to stop by, it was a good bet you’d be dragged off with her to the Bingo hall! Joyce was a social butterfly, striking up a conversation with anyone everywhere she went. She was beloved by so many, as her children's and grandchildren's friends and neighbors also called her "Mom" or "Nanny". Aside from the love of her family and having great fun, she had an incredible work ethic. When women of her era stayed home, her fierce independence took her into the working world. She proudly waitressed as a profession and, in her 50s, began a successful catering business, catering into her 80s. 

Whether instilling the love of music and dance, generosity, or a strong work ethic, Mom lived life doing what she loved and had a life well-lived. 

Rest in peace, Mom.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Loraine (Bortle) Sport, please visit our floral store.