Katherine Porter - Obituary

Katherine M. Porter died peacefully October 13th, 2014 at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, NY. 

Katherine Porter was born in Port Limon, Costa Rica where her father was an engineer for the United Fruit Company.  She grew up in western Pennsylvania and earned her RN nursing degree from Case Western Reserve.  While still in college, she served in the Army Nurses Corps.  She began her nursing career in Panama where she met David Porter of Mt. Morris, NY.  They married and lived in several Latin American countries where they started raising their family.  They moved back to the US in 1960 and lived in North Norwich until 1978.  After a decade and a half away from Chenango County, Katherine returned in 1994 and lived in Norwich until her death.

Katherine loved nature including bird nests, butterflies and beautiful rocks.  Among her many activities and interests were gardening, bird watching, quilting, hunting Herkimer diamonds, reading poetry, singing in the church choir and creating hand-made necklaces.  She also served as a Brownie leader, was an active member of several garden clubs and the DAR and volunteered for the American Red Cross and hospital auxiliary thrift shop.  During her working career, in addition to several nursing positions, she served as an assistant pottery instructor and an assessor.

She is survived by her brothers Richard and John Fuller and her identical twin sister Marjorie Hansen as well as 5 children (Anne Drexler, David Porter, Jessica Kyle, Eric Porter and Elisabeth Joseph), 7 grandchildren (Charles Drexler, Rebecca and Joseph Kyle, Kevin Porter, Maya Porter, Phoebe and Naomi Joseph) and one great grandchild (Katherine Drexler). 

Katherine lived a full and fulfilling life.  She will be greatly missed.

The family has chosen to forgo any formal memorial service or calling hours.  Instead, they ask you to donate in Katherine’s memory to the American Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice, Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne, Friends of Rogers, American Red Cross or another charitable institution of your choice.

You can send stories, messages and photos to the family at kathy@matai-house.com. Please let us know if we can post your message.