Georgene O'Donnell

Georgene (Portland) O’Donnell

Georgene P. O’Donnell, 95, wife of the late Edward T. O’Donnell of Phoenixville, died on Sunday, December 27th, 2020.

Born in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Charles A. and Emma A. (DeFont) Portland, and lived in Pottsville and Phoenixville most of her life.  She was a graduate of Saint Joseph College High School, Emmitsburg, Maryland, class of 1944. While in school, she played basketball, fenced, acted in various plays and sang in the choir.

She was a medical secretary and in Pottsville worked for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company and in Phoenixville she worked for various doctors, insurance companies, with her career culminating as a Medicare counselor for the Pennsylvania Office of the Aging retiring in 2010.

She was actively involved in community events, acting in Community Theater, singing in choirs and working the polls for the Chester County Election Office. She volunteered at the Phoenixville Hospital Auxiliary, the Phoenixville Senior center, St. Mary’s Women’s shelter and Mom’s House.  She was actively involved with St. Ann Church working in the Linen Ladies group and as a minister of hospitality.

She is survived by her two sons, E. Michael O’Donnell husband of Stacey O’Donnell, and Patrick B. O’Donnell husband of Rebecca O’Donnell and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by twelve siblings: Charles N. Portland, Marie F. (Portland) Pramuk, Louis A. Portland, Emma A. Portland, Marguerite R. (Portland) Gaughan, Albert Portland, Anthony Portland, Richard Portland, Robert A. Portland, Dorothy Portland, Thomas L. Portland, and John J. Portland.

There will not be a viewing and burial will be private at the convenience of the family. A memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvatorians, ATTN: Jeff Wocken SDS, 1735 N. Hi-Mount Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53208.