Louise Miller Fortner, 93, of Wilmington and Lewes, died surrounded by her daughters, on December 16, 2022 at the Country House, her residence since 2017.
A lifelong resident of Delaware, Louise was born in Wilmington to Thomas W. and Edna Hitch Miller. She graduated from Wilmington High School where she was a competitive roller-skater and played first trumpet in the school band. She then graduated from Goldey College and went to work as a bookkeeper. Louise and her late husband, John, were the seventh householders to move into the brand-new Brandywine Hundred neighborhood of Surrey Park where Louise happily devoted her life to raising their three daughters. A member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Louise was very involved in the Masonic community and worked side by side with John, the past Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Delaware. Together John and Louise initiated and organized the Job’s Daughters, Bethel Chapter # 11 in north Wilmington. Active in the community, Louise volunteered at the Wilmington Seaman’s Center and was a 65-year involved member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. In her spare time, she enjoyed music and dancing - from square dancing to ballroom dancing, bridge, travel, knitting, crocheting, sewing and all kinds of needlework, and especially gardening.
Louise’s husband of 51 years, John N. Fortner died in 2001; and she is survived by their three daughters: Bobbie F. Burtch, Peggy F. Nolley (Bill), and Linda F. Williams (Richmond); 8 grandchildren: Lynn, Lauren, Kristen, Drew, Greg, Douglas, Dean, and Nathan; 11 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Ann Lawrence.
The family would like to thank the Country House staff as well as Home Instead and ACTS caregivers for their compassion and devotion to our mother.
A visitation will be held from 10-11am, Wednesday, January 4, followed at 11am by a funeral service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pike. The interment will be held privately. The family suggests honoring Louise with a memorial gift to: Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE19803; the Seaman’s Center of Wilmington, PO Box 405, Wilmington, DE19899 or the Country House Employee Appreciation Fund, 4830 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE19807.Funeral arrangements by McCrery & Harra.
