Our Classmates

Christine Bortle (Miller)

 
Christine's senior candid photo.
 
Our dear classmate Christine Bortle (Miller), who we knew as Chris, and who was in our class since kindergarten, passed away from cancer on Apr. 6, 2004, according to her mother, Nancy.
 
In her senior year, she was the writing chairman for our yearbook. During her freshman year, she was a member of the Spanish Club.
 
Here are excerpts from Christine's obituary, which appeared in The Republican newspaper:
 
Christine Bortle (Miller), 51, of East Longmeadow, died on Apr. 6, 2004. Born in Springfield, she was the daughter of Nancy (Redfield) Bortle and the late John Bortle. Christine resided in East Longmeadow and attended East Longmeadow schools, graduating from East Longmeadow High School and the University of Maryland. She later resided in Clarksville, New York and returned to East Longmeadow several years ago.
 
Christine was employed as an accountant at Parsons Child and Family Center in Albany, New York and most recently at the Center for Human Development of Springfield. A member of First Congregational Church of East Longmeadow, she participated in a number of its ministries as current church treasurer, a choir member, confirmation mentor, prayer groups, education groups, worship leader, and a member of the Teaching Parish Committee, and served on the Board of Business and Finance. She was also a master quilter.
 
Christine will be remembered as a loving, caring, faithful Christian woman and leaves behind a legacy in all she did for people through her faith for her family, friends and co-workers and anyone who wanted or needed her assistance at any time.
 
Besides her mother, she leaves a sister, Gail Gwozdz of East Longmeadow; a brother, Charles Bortle of Leola, PA; five nieces and one nephew; a grandnephew; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; many friends; and her former husband and good friend, George Miller of Clarksville, NY.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church, 7 Somers Rd., East Longmeadow, MA 01028; Baystate VNA and Hospice50 Maple St., PO Box 9058, Springfield, MA 01102; or to Habitat for Humanity, 250 Albany St., Springfield, MA 01105.
 
 
Christine's kindergarten graduation photo. Our teacher was Mrs. Doris E. Woodworth. Front row: Dennis Plante, Jarl Weyant, Bruce Lindwall, Scott Moore, Gail Taylor, Carol DuBois, Judith Bliss, Malcom White, Leslie Bergeron. Row 2: Patricia Hendrick, Bruce Moore, Paul Stilphen, Brian Falk, Diane Tower, Deborah Hanson, Susan Wolcott, Christine BortleRow 3: Linda Bates, John McLane, Allan Phillips, Clark Swanson, Janet Betterley, Donna Anderson, Linda Mottle, Jeanne Symmes, William Kenyon, David Gallerani, Joan Stack, Stephen St. Marie. Not pictured: Peter Ouellette. Photo courtesy of Mary Darling Studio. 

Homeroom photo in Christine's freshman year. Front Row: Linda Bates, Janet Betterley, Lynn Belliveau, Jayne Anderson, Sandra Andrews, Nancy Blaisdell, Deborah Andwood, Donna Bitzer, Mrs. Margaret Clarke. Row 2: Patricia Berard, Sandra Babcock, Kendra Bowker, Christine Bortle, Jean Bonin, Judith Bliss, Nancy Birtwell, Susan Abel. Row 3Lawrence Bradley, Koby Borodkin, Laura Bradley, Leslie Bergeron, Donna Anderson, James Bourque, John Beery, William Anderson. Not pictured: Adele Archie, Paul Battige, Leonard Beaulieu, Robert Boisseau.

Homeroom photo in Christine's sophomore year. Front row: Deborah Andwood, Nancy Blaisdell, Patricia Berard, Laura Bradley, Leslie Bergeron, Mr. Paul Tarsa. Row 2: Donna Bitzer, Kendra Bowker, Sandra Andrews, Janet Betterley, Susan Abel, Judith Bliss, Nancy Birtwell. Row 3: Linda Bates, Lynn Belliveau, Jayne Anderson, Jean Bonin, Donna Anderson, Christine BortleRow 4: John Beery, Paul Battige, Robert Bradley, James Bourque, Leonard Beaulieu, William Anderson. Not pictured: Adele Archie.

Homeroon photo in Christine's junior year. Front row: Mrs. Kathy Payne, Laura Bradley, Leslie Bergeron, Janet Betterley, Donna Anderson, Arlene Breau, Kendra Bowker. Row 2: Patricia Berard, Teresa Bagnall, Donna Bitzer, Debra Butler, Jean Bonin, Nancy Blaisdell, Christine Bortle. Row 3: Paul Battige, Lawrence Beradley, Janice Breen, Lynn Belliveau, Andrea Burger, Nancy Bryson, Sandra Andrews. Row 4: Leonard Beaulieu, William Anderson, Charles Ackerman, James Bourque, David Sabourin, John Beery. Not pictured: Adele Archie.  

Christine later in life. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Nancy Bortle.
 
To see other tributes, click on the "Life Tributes" link at the left and then on the page of interest.