Joan Morton

Joan Morton

Recommend Joan's obituary to your friends
Share Your Memory of
Joan

Obituary of Joan Morton

Please share a memory of Joan to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
Joan "Laila" Porter Morton Joan "Laila" Porter Morton, age 92, died peacefully at her Millcreek Twp. home with her family at her side on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. She was born on December 31, 1914, in Pittsburgh, the daughter of the late Morgan and Gaynelle Porter. She grew up in Erie, where her father owned a drug store at 4th and State Streets, and her mother was a well-known pianist. She particularly enjoyed summers at her family's cottage at Ferncliff on the bay. As early as age 5, Joan's zeal for performing became evident, and she began voice and dance lessons. At age 15, she moved to New York City with her mother and sister, Ruth, where her talent blossomed. Her theatrical career took her to Broadway where, under the stage name of Joan English, she became one of the first Rockettes and performed at the Roxy Theater. She danced in George White Scandals' revues, entertaining with such celebrities as Alice Faye and Rudy Vallee. She appeared in many Broadway shows and was also under contract to Warner Brothers, appearing in several short-subject films. On April 16, 1942, she married William C. Morton and eventually moved back to Erie to make her home. A one-time president of the former Erie Civic Ballet Guild and the Millcreek Republican Women, Joan was also active in parent-teacher organizations at her children's Millcreek schools. Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by a brother, Morgan Porter, and a sister, Ruth English; also a dear step-father, Ellis Frampton. Survivors include a son, William T. Morton Esq., and his wife, Debbie, and a daughter, Susan Lechner, and her husband, Robert, both of Erie; and six grandchildren, Lili Morton of New York City, Dan Morton of Pittsburgh, Keith Morton of Erie, Katharine Murosky and her husband, Nick, of New York City, Robert Lechner of Toronto, and Scott Lechner of Erie; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd., on Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited there on Tuesday for a funeral service conducted by the Monsignor Tom McSweeney at 10:00 A.M. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice Services of Erie County, 1305 Peach St., Erie, PA 16501 or to the Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St., Erie, PA 16501.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Joan Morton, please visit our Tree Store
A Memorial Tree was planted for Joan
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Dusckas - Martin Funeral Home
Services for Joan Morton
There are no events scheduled. You can still show your support by planting a tree in memory of Joan Morton.
Plant a tree in memory of Joan
Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event
About this Event
Joan Morton

In Loving Memory

Joan Morton

Look inside to read what others have shared
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.