Winifred Riggs Portenoy passed away peacefully at her home in Chatham, Massachusetts on May 17th, the 75th anniversary of her marriage to the late Norman Portenoy. She led a long and fulfilling life as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, noted philanthropist and foundation chairman, and influential member of many arts and civic boards on Cape Cod and in Washington, DC, her home for five decades.
Winnie, as she was best known, was born in Bronxville, NY in 1925, graduated from Bronxville School, and studied at the Froebel League and New York University, before joining the faculty of the Birch-Wathen School in Manhattan. She made her debut on Christmas night in 1943 at the Westchester Cotillion. In 1946, she married Norman S. Portenoy, renowned pilot and then-Captain in the U.S.Air Force. The couple lived on various stateside bases, as well as in Norway during Norman's years with NATO, before settling in Washington, DC. They had two daughters, Winifred "Fred" Portenoy Kubiak and Mary "Polly" Portenoy Surrey.
In 1965, Winnie's great-aunt Victoria, widow of music publishing giant Max Dreyfus, established The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, a private national charitable foundation. Soon after, Winnie became involved as an officer and a director, shaping the foundation's mission and future. She was later elected Chairman of the Board, and remained in that role for the rest of her life.
She was passionate about theatre, dance, the visual arts, historic preservation, and population and environmental management, promoting the work, hosting events, and building new audiences and supporters. She served on the boards of, among others, The Washington Ballet, Studio Theatre, and For Love of Children, in Washington, DC. On Cape Cod, she served as an Honorary Trustee of The Atwood Museum and on the Chatham Historical Society Board of Overseers, was active with the Old Village Association and Chatham First Night, and was a longstanding member of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church. She loved tennis, both as a spectator and as a player, and was a decades-long member of the Chatham Beach and Tennis Club.
Her activity with endeavors she cared most about wasn't only confined to the board room. She was known for rolling up her sleeves and getting involved in other ways. She and Norman traveled to Russia on tour with The Washington Ballet, and -- although she served on the corporate and foundation advisory board of Washington National Cathedral -- Winnie could also be found helping to run the iconic carousel at the Cathedral's annual Flower Mart. Prestigious honors included the Washington Post Award for Distinguished Community Service, the Cathedral Choral Society Angel of the Arts Award, GALA Hispanic Theatre's Noche de Estrella tribute, the DC Mayor's Arts Award, and The Helen Hayes Award.
Winnie was as gracious and elegant as she was down to earth, as comfortable in evening wear as she was in old gardening clothes. Throughout her life, she was always great company -- treasured for her engaging personality, quick wit, innate curiosity, and generous spirit. She will be forever missed by friends and colleagues, but most of all by her cherished family. She is survived by her daughter Polly Surrey of Washington, DC; grandchildren Sara Surrey Lemkine (Gregory) of Vincennes, France; Krista Kubiak Crotty (Jeff) of Spokane, WA; Riggs Kubiak (Ashley Lane) of Morristown, NJ; Garrett Kubiak (Andrew Benson), of Spokane, WA; and eight great-grandchildren: Blaise Lemkine; Malachi, Saurin, and Jonah Crotty; Lane and Ryder Kubiak; and Brady and Jules Benson.
Winnie was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Lt. Col. Norman S. Portenoy and their daughter Winifred Portenoy Kubiak. She also leaves behind her devoted lead caregiver and friend Charlene Fisher of Harwich, MA, dedicated care team members, and many good friends.
A Remembrance of Winnie's wonderful life will be announced at a later date. For those wishing to make a lasting gift in memory of Winnie Portenoy, the family suggests a charitable organization of special significance to each donor. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
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