Elizabeth "Betty" Porter

1919 - 2016

Elizabeth "Betty" Porter, 97 passed away Monday, October 31, 2016. She was born October 12, 1919 in Toronto, Canada. She came to the United States as a small child and lived in downtown Detroit above a Chinese Laundry before moving to a tenement with her Scottish relatives in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit. She then moved on to Taylor, MI where her family had two acres and raised chickens during the Great Depression. Throughout her life, Elizabeth was known by many nicknames, Lizbeth, Buddy, Bud, Bess. But most people knew her as Betty.
During the WWII war effort, at 18-years-old, Betty went to work at Mayson Manufacturing where she met and eventually married Paul Porter. She resided on the family farm in Quincy for the past 70 years where she was a homemaker, farm wife and political advisor to her state representative husband.
She was a member of the Union Church of Quincy, and formerly taught Sunday School there. Betty served her community in many ways over the years. She worked as a Rotary cooking crew member, organized the library pet parades and worked tirelessly at the Union Church Thrift Store. Betty sat on the Boards of the Commission on Aging, Quincy Friends of the Library, American Cancer Society and the American Legion. Betty was also a Girl Scout and Brownie Leader and served as secretary of the Branch County Democratic Party.
Betty loved to garden, and took great pleasure in weeding. She was happiest tending to the "runt" of the litter or nursing any of the weakest farm animals back to health. Throughout her life Betty wore make-up every day, always had her hair done, kept her nails painted and was a well-groomed, beautiful person inside and out.
Survivors include one son, Gordon (Joy) Porter of Quincy; daughter Paulette Porter of Quincy; step-daughter Lynne (Ted) Wickman of Florida, special granddaughters Kelly Satkowski and Gabby Porter and grandchildren Aaron Porter, Justin Porter and Angela Madden. Betty also had many great grandchildren, several step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Paul Porter, Betty was preceded in death by her step-son Phillip Porter and her brother Edgar Currie.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 6, from 2-5 p.m. at the Eagle Funeral Home-George White Chapel, Quincy. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, November 7 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Brad Parrish and Rick Nohr officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Quincy Library, the Union Church or the Commission on Aging.
To view this obituary or send condolences, visit www.eaglefuneralhomes.com.