Elsie Claire Kortze

Elsie Claire Kortze, 79, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died on June 20 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Virginia Beach after a long and courageous battle against Alzheimer’s Disease.

She was the mother of John W. Kortze, III; grandmother of John W. Kortze, IV, and Carly LaRue Kortze; great-grandmother of Cassidy Kortze and Keely Claire Kortze; and special friend of Mary Ann Novaco, all of Sandy Hook.

Mrs Kortze was born in Toms River, N.J., and has lived in Virginia Beach since 1961. She retired from the Guided Missile School at Dam Neck, Va., in 1973, where she was the supervisor of all of the school’s technical libraries. Mrs Kortze was a graduate of Old Dominion University with a degree in library science.

During World War II she was among the first group of women trained by the US Navy to overhaul and maintain the engines that powered the airships, or “blimps,” operating out of US Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, N.J. These “blimps” patrolled and escorted ships during World War II. She was a certified aircraft mechanic during this period. In addition, she was a volunteer driver for the American Red Cross Motor Corp as well as an accomplished pianist and avid dancer.

Mrs Kortze is also survived by her beloved husband, John, of 57 years; grandson, Colin Lacey Kortze and granddaughters, Vanessa Claire Kortze and Lindsey Layton Kortze, all of Gilmonton Iron Works, N.H.; brother, Harry J. Layton of Scotch Plains, N.J.; and sister, Patricia Hecht of West Long Branch, N.J.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at St Aidans Episcopal Church, Edinburgh Drive, Virginia Beach, Va. Interment was in Princess Anne Memorial Park, Virginia Beach, Va.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter, 20 Koger Executive Center, Norfolk, VA 23503 (757-459-2405), or St Aidans Memorial Fund at 3201 Edinburgh Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23432.

Altmeyer Funeral Home, Virginia Beach, was in charge of funeral arrangements.

The Newtown Bee         June 29, 2001