Frances A. Portell

1950 - 2026

Frances Althea Portell (nee Yandell) was called to home on January 22, 2026. Beloved wife of the late Dale C. Portell. Mother of Christopher (Carey) Portell and Amy Portell; grandmother of Steven Portell; sister of Lawrence (Judy) Yandell and the late Richard (Joan) Yandell; great aunt, cousin and friend to many.

Frances loved bowling, playing softball and hanging out with friends and family. She had a beautiful alto voice and loved singing in the church choir. She and a group of dear friends formed a group called "In Harmony". Singing gave her great joy. Frances was heavily involved with the Champ Assistant Dog Program where she tested and trained puppies to become helpers for a people with disabilities. Frances and her husband, Dale adopted 2 dogs that had failed due to hip issues, Scout and Ariel. After retiring from Boeing, Frances enjoyed watching birds, playing the piano, putting together puzzles and hiding important paperwork from her husband so that he had to clean certain areas of the house to "find" it. Dale would leave the room and she would always put it next to the phone on the counter, then act like she just found it.

Please take this time to remember the life of Frances with laughter, tears of joy and with the love in your heart.

Visitation is on Friday, January 30, 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Collier’s Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd (St. Ann). Family requests guests wear St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals attire.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org or Champ Assistant Dogs www.champdogs.org

No service due to Jefferson Barracks weekend regulations. Frances will be buried with her husband at Jefferson Barracks, section DD.

A celebration of life will held at a later date.