Arlene Marie "Ma" Portice

Arlene “Ma” Marie (Wice) Portice, age 89, of Pickford, Michigan, died on Monday, December 18, 2023, at the MyMichigan Medical Center Sault in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Arlene was born on November 26, 1934, in Fibre, Michigan, to Joseph and Mary (Cutter) Wice. Arlene grew up in Fibre and graduated from Rudyard High School. She met James Cecil Portice through mutual friends, and they married on November 28, 1953. In 1956, they started their family and raised their three children together. While raising her children, Arlene helped Cec on the farm, haying and milking cows. She began driving the school bus for Pickford Area Schools and retired after twenty years. Ma was member of The Red Hats Society, local bus drivers’ union, Pickford Lions Club, and Pickford Presbyterian Church. In addition, she volunteered for the War Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Flea Market, was an Avon representative, and was a 4H Leader for many years. Ma Portice loved spending her time golfing, working with stain glass, sewing, quilting, rug making and selling her work in craft shows. She also enjoyed taking pictures and videos of horse pulls and her grandchildren’s sporting events. Ma also liked cooking and baking, and will always be remembered for her delicious, deviled eggs and dinner rolls. Grandma Ma is survived by her children, Mary Jean (Tom) Michalski, James (Denice) Portice, and Calvin (Sharon) Portice; grandchildren, Travis (Nikki) Michalski, Ginger (Jason) Michalski-Wallace, Brock (Laura Tetzlaff) Michalski, Ramsey (Karen) Michalski, Marlee (Jon) Six, Justin (Tessa) Portice, Alicia (Turner) Burnett, Victoria (Brady Litzner) Portice, Kaylynn (Jayson) Cairns, and McKinley Portice; great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Shaunna, Mady, Gavin, Quincy, Ramsey, Ethan, Hendrik, Grant, Desten, Laynee, Mariah, Baylor, Huxlee, Maraya, Cecila, and Rowyn; great-great-grandson, Brandon; and sister-in-law, Della Wice. Arlene was proceeded in death by her husband, Cecil Portice; special friend, Roy Rye; parents, Joseph and Mary Wice; brothers, Harley Wice and Edward (Dean) Wice; and sisters-in-law, Margaret (Curtis) Boylend and Roberta (Calvin) Hall. A Memorial Gathering was held on January 5, 2024, at Family Life Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan. Ma’s final resting place will be in Fairview Cemetery in Pickford, Michigan

Tributes

Arlene Marie "Ma" Portice

November 26, 1934 - December 18, 2023