1926-2013
Woodstock – Dorothy Elizabeth (Sweeney) Porter was surrounded by her loved ones and welcomed home by our Good Lord on September 21, 2013. Dorothy’s pride and joy was her family. She will be missed and forever loved by her five children and their spouses: Mary-Ellen and Samuel Porter-Price of Canterbury, Clyde and Barbara Porter of Dayville, Douglas and Gail Porter of East Woodstock, Eric and Debra Porter of West Woodstock, and Jane and Michael Wolak of South Windsor; her nine grandsons and four granddaughters-in-law Jonathan and Brynn, Justin and Priscilla, Adam and Kate, Craig, Seth and Jessica, David, Andrew, Steven and Matthew and her two great grandchildren Keegan and Kenzie.
She is also survived by her favorite brother-in-law Jerry Levine of Syosset, NY, and his family.
Dorothy was born in Kingston, NY, on May 23, 1926. After graduating from KingstonHigh School, she earned her R.N. and Bachelors degree from FordhamUniversity. While raising her family, Dorothy worked at St. Raphael’s Hospital, at nursing homes and on private duty assignments along the Connecticut shoreline. She moved with her family to the Quiet Corner in 1965.
Always an avid reader, Dorothy shared this interest with many people when she served as the West Woodstock librarian for nearly twenty years. She prided herself on knowing her patrons’ special interests and would often greet them with the latest books by their favorite authors.
Dorothy also loved gardening, bird watching and taking pictures. She seemed blessed with a green thumb. Her favorite flowers were pink geraniums and night blooming cereus. When bluebirds arrived in the spring, she joyfully announced it to her whole family. Dorothy always carried her camera and lots of family pictures wherever she went.
She was predeceased by her parents Dorothy and James Sweeney, her siblings Donald Sweeney and Jeanne Levine, her husband Herbert F. Porter, Jr. and her two dear friends Annie Abel and Vicky Maroon Owen.
The family would like to thank the staff at Bayberry Commons in Pascoag, RI, Dr. Daniel O’Neill and Dr. Joseph Botta in Putnam, CT, for the loving care and attention they gave Dorothy.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dorothy’s family from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2013, in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street, Putnam, CT. Private burial at Barlow Cemetery, West Woodstock, CT, at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the West Woodstock Library, 5 Bungay Hill Connector, Woodstock, CT 06281. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Lynn (Davis) Blackmer
I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Porter was a wonderful librarian in West Woodstock. I have fond memories of her helping to find books when I was a child and regularly visited the library with my mom and my siblings. She was always eager to help and knew her patrons well. She always greeted us with a friendly smile which lit up the entire room. I think of her every time I pass the library. She will be missed.