Portia Paradise

When Portia Paradise was in her fifties and living in Italy, her children grown up, she steered her life with determination in a new direction, becoming a student of art restoration at a prestigious institute in Rome. It wasn't long before she could be found high amid scaffolding on bone-chilling winter days working meticulously to restore medieval ceiling frescoes in the Church of St. Francis in Assisi. Or, in spring and summer, painstakingly piecing together artifacts such as oil lamps and mosaics at an archeological dig on the site of a Roman port on a wild Tuscan promontory. Or, years later in America, lovingly bringing back to life a damaged WPA mural at an urban high school in Chicago Heights, Ill.
It is with respect for her accomplishments and with vivid memories of her love, thoughtfulness and great, kidding sense of humor that her family announces, with heavy hearts, Portia's death Wednesday, January 1, 2014, in Princeton, Wis., at the age of 92. She had, with notable stoicism, endured for decades the debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease and was a resident at Martha's, an assisted-living facility.
Portia Ruth (Simon) Paradise was born in Madison, Wis., on June 23, 1921. She was the eldest child of Emanuel and Elva Simon. Their home was near Vilas Park, which afforded the young Portia and her two siblings ample scope for sports and exploration. Portia, who in her early years was also known as Dolly, was a member of the first graduating class at West High School. An accomplished painter, she earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1942, and later that year in Taunton, Mass., married Filmer M. Paradise, who was from Kenosha, Wis., and at that time in the U.S. Army. During World War II, Portia worked as a secretary to an Army colonel and, after the war, performed similar work at a psychology lab at Harvard University.
In 1947, Portia and her husband moved to London, England, where Filmer conducted graduate research in economics and was eventually hired by the U.S. government to work on the Marshall Plan. On the one hand, it was still a time of rationing in Britain; on the other, they were actually presented at Court.
In 1951, they returned to the United States and settled near Washington, where Portia resumed her attachment to painting, taking classes with Morris Louis. In 1953, Portia and her husband moved to a New York City suburb and then, in 1956, with their three children in tow, to Ann Arbor, Mich., where they had built a home in a heavily wooded area and where Portia devoted herself to being a mother.
In 1959, Portia and the children joined Filmer in Italy, where he had been named to a top post by the Ford Motor Co. They settled in Rome, in a modern district not far from the zoo; at night the lions roared.
Living in Italy meant constant adaptation to change, and Portia took to the challenge with vigor, resolve and curiosity, setting an example for the family. Though Rome's anarchic traffic could be daunting , she took a deep breath and was soon claiming her patch of roadway as she shepherded her children to music and dance lessons.
And it wasn't long before Portia was adept at preparing Italian cuisine. Her Bolognese sauce was a wonder, and eventually she went far afield -- literally into the countryside -- in search of superlative olive oil and distinctive wines.
Portia also resumed painting, taking lessons for years from Italian artist Manlio Guberti, with whom she formed a fast friendship. Trips to his studio and home in the countryside became routine excursions for her and for her children.
Music, too, was important to Portia. She was an accomplished pianist, and when she could take time out from a busy day, Chopin and Schumann filled the home. She also formed ties with musicians; once an emigre Russian cellist benefited from her hospitality -- in return for a solo concert.
In 1976, after her divorce, Portia returned to Madison to live, having spent 17 years in Italy. She helped her aging mother and also resumed art restoration locally and at the Art Institute of Chicago. She delighted in keeping up professionally and as a friend with those who had participated with her in the Tuscan archeological dig at Cosa, sponsored by the American Academy in Rome. She contributed an essay to an excavation publication.
Portia's Parkinson's was diagnosed when she was in her sixties. She held out, living on her own for years in a Madison apartment building whose residents knew her as a ferocious Scrabble player. When Portia was in her 80s, she moved into an assisted-living facility in Madison, and after a couple years, moved to Princeton.
Besides bringing Portia near one of her daughters, the move to Princeton made it easier for her devoted companion, Lenny, to pay visits. His loyal friendship was a great boost to her spirits. Portia was also fortunate in having Jennifer as a financial advisor and a dear friend. The family is also grateful to so many faithful friends of Portia's who are not named here but whom it was always her pleasure to be with and hear from.
Portia's brother, Arnold Simon, was an Army officer in World War II and was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. He was 19.
Portia is survived by daughter Laurie Paradise of Neshkoro, Wis., and her husband, Giangiacomo Romagnoli; daughter Leslie Paradise of Tokyo, her husband Yoshi Yoshimura and their daughters Alyssa and Marina; son Arnold Paradise of Los Angeles and his wife, JoAnne (Culler).
Portia is also survived by her sister, Mollybelle (Simon) Berish of Winnetka, Ill., and Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., her husband, Barry, and their sons Brad, Brian, Blake and Brett and their families.