Annabelle (Diebel) Ort

Annabelle Ort, 91, of Brighton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend died at her home in Brookdale Brighton Monday, August 27.  She had a kind, generous and loving heart that she extended to those around her, and those in need. She was born April 3, 1927, in Elkton, MI, the daughter of Henry B. Diebel and Viola (Rothfuss) Diebel. She graduated from Elkton High School in 1945 and subsequently completed a business administration program. She married Richard John Ort in Bad Axe on July 11, 1946.

Mrs. Ort came to Brighton in 1973. She worked as a secretary at Brighton High School until her retirement in 1992.  In retirement, she worked for many years at Amporn’s Tailoring in Brighton. She was a talented seamstress throughout her life. Creative and artistic, she had an eye for design and interior decorating. She enjoyed travels to Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Greece, cruises, driving trips to national parks, winters in Arizona, Florida and South Carolina, Elderhostel adventures, casino fun and more. Appreciating the fine arts she enjoyed art museums, music performances, plays and musicals. A self-declared “foodie” she relished fine food and restaurants with friends or family. She loved gardening and nature.

Surviving are her children, Rebecca Ort of Brighton, Jean Pfeifer (Michael) of Cambridge, Mass., Frederick Ort (Cathy) of Brighton; four grandchildren, Sarah Ort, Robert Ort, Susan Pfeifer Kimball (Matthew), and Pamela Pfeifer; two great-grandchildren, Jasper and Ryan; many nieces and nephews; sister Doris Webb, and sisters-in-law, Jacqueline Diebel and Sharon Diebel. 

Preceding her in death was her husband, Richard on May 18, 2003, parents Henry and Viola Diebel, and ten siblings, Clayton, William, Ruth (Heckroth), Mildred (Dietzel), Mary (Hale), David, Leland, Jean (Keiser), Arlene, and Gerald.

Honoring Mrs. Ort’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Please join her family for a memorial service and to celebrate her life at Brighton First United Methodist Church, 400 E. Grand River Ave, at the corner of Brighton Lake Road on Saturday, September 1st, Visitation at 10:00am, Memorial Service at 11:00am.

If you would like to make an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, PO Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003, or Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.