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Stories

Please send your stories to kathy@matai-house.com so we can post them.

Kathy's autobiography junior year in high school (she got A-)

Army Nurses CorpsIt’s strange that the happenings of a day so important to me should completely slip from my memory.  They tell me that the morning I was born was beautiful and sunny and the oceans roar drowned out my first cry.  Though I may never experience it again, I had many admirers for the first few weeks in that little Spanish town of Puerto de Mar in Costa Rica.

I was named Marjorie Ann after two of my mother’s best friends, but after the excitement of our arrival (I am a twin) was over, my name was changed to Mary Katherine because everyone [thought] that I looked like my Aunt Katherine.
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Possibly what one does in the first few weeks influences the rest of one’s life, for at the age of 5 weeks I started traveling.  Mother, Margie and I came to the States on one of the Great White Fleet and after visiting for several weeks in Cleveland, Conneautville, Warren and New York, we returned to Costa Rica by way of Havana, Jamaica and Panama and settled down to grow brown and fat in the little town of Siguerres in the jungle of Central America.  Life flowed along quite peacefully and with the exception of having pneumonia and small pox, we were perfection. 

We made many trips to Panama and the States and when we were four we moved to our new home, Puerto Castilla in Honduras.  My most vivid memories were sand flies in land and star fish by the ocean.

Our fifth birthday found us in a beautiful Spanish home in Guatemala City.  We had two native servants who spoke nothing but Spanish so soon we spoke a delicious mixture of Spanish and English that few people could understand.  We spent an interesting year in Guatemala because we were then old enough to enjoy the beauty of the country.  One of the most delightful things to me was the open patio in the center of the house which was just a few inches below the floor level of the house.  There was a garden and a fountain in the patio.  We visited the ancient city of Antigua.  It was the old capital of Guatemala but had been destroyed by earth quake.  In this ancient city were the ruins of about seventy huge churches.  The native Indians still worshipped among the ruins.  From the roof of the hotel, which was a rendezvous for Americans, we could see the ancient volcanos of Fuego and Agua, fire and water.  We never tired of the barefooted soldiers that drilled in a fort near our home.  Daily we watched the brilliantly dressed native women carrying their wares to open market.

We were privileged to watch from the iron barred windows of our home, the religious festival at Easter time which drew tourists from all over the world.

The one person we did not like was our Kindergarten teacher, Señorita Marguerita.  Only Spanish was spoken there although we tried our best to understand we never managed to do the right things at the right times.  The teacher kept us standing in the corner with our face to the wall most of the time because when she started giving orders we laughed at her.  I’ll admit it was very rude.  Mother finally decided that we would do better at home.

Our last trip to the States took us through the experience of a hurricane in which I got very seasick.  But all this was nothing compared to the first day of school.  We started school in Clarendon then came to Conneautville where we were in the second grade.  Each year has brought its pleasures.  In the fourth grade I was in a Christmas operetta.  On the night of the second performance I was sick so Margie took my part and hers, too.  In the sixth grade I was in a Hiawatha cantata.  When I was in the eighth grade we gave a puppet show, the Courtship of Miles Standish in which I took the part of Priscilla.  My freshman year saw my fist prom with Bob Doud.  It was the subject of much speculation in the whole neighborhood.  I went to the prom with Jim Wright in my sophomore year.  During these two years I went to quite a few school dances, parties and skating parties.  Both summers were spent on my grandparents’ farm.

I hope that before many years I will be back in the tropics where my life began.

The End


From Scott and Betty Ann Baldwin

It is with sadness that we have lost the vital person that we knew. There are so many fun stories and times that we shared with your parents and your family that we shall never forget. Your mother was a beautiful person, full of ideas and adventures that she shared with us. When we started out as Aides in the SECS High School, her comment was this is one experience and I shall have many more and she did. Scott and I extend our sympathy to you and all of your delightful family. We intend to send a contribution to The Church of the Epiphany in memory of your mom and dad.


From Chris Baldwin

It's funny how I have such vivid pictures in my mind of all the Porters and some very funny stories that get better with the retelling over the years. I'll have to start writing a few of them down, from Christmas cards to feeding your dad spoiled rain soaked sandwiches Eric and I found abandonned at the Motocross races in Unadilla to Davey in the Coon Rod and on and on. Please post freely and often - your mom was very special.


From Jennifer Swaney

I will always remember Kathy as happy and smiling. After hearing so much about your family when Jessica and I were roommates at college it was great to meet them all and get to know them. I enjoyed several wonderful visits with Kathy and your family in Norwich and in Pennsylvania, I remember going around to the local boutiques in Carversville and searching out exotic tea leaves and aroma candles with your Mom. It was always fun times visiting your folks. Your Dad was the best, braving the sub zero weather to take us into the city for the day. I thought it was funny and impressive when your Dad decided to neuter the dog one night after dinner, he let me assist. Your parents were always very entertaining and fun. Now Kathy will be with David. I remember a beautiful poem he wrote for her on her birthday or anniversary, something that was framed and on the wall at your house; how he searched all over the world and then found her.


From John, Laurie & Johnny Hoefler

Please accept our family’s deepest condolences on the passing of Kathy, forever a respectful “Mrs. Porter” to Laurie and me. Our warmest and most loving thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.

In particular; Anne, David, Jessica, Eric, and Betsy; having experienced so much in the company of your family and having spent more time in your home than in any other but my own while growing up, my thoughts are especially of you and your great loss. The wonderful memories I have of your Mom and Dad and you at home in North Norwich (like speaking Spanish at the dinner table), and of the time I spent with each of you then and have spent with you since, are indelible, deeply personal, and very precious to me.


From Kathy Horton Armitage

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom! I will always remember her as my Brownie leader, my neighbor, my friend. She pierced my ears in the kitchen of your house in North Norwich. She was a lovely woman and I see her in all of your faces. I will remember her smile so bright and her cheerful, loving way. I think the last time I saw her was at an event at the company where I work, Golden Artist Colors, Inc. some years ago. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending my love and healing energy...


From Kelly Horton

My sincerest sympathy for the loss of your beautiful Mother.

She was a kind, gentle, beautiful, positive presence in our neighborhood growing up. She sent me a delightful Christmas card years ago of her and the Porter family...which I promptly took every place I went to show off the beautiful Porter family!

Maya Angelou quoted: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." That was your mom.....she made me feel special and she made me feel happy. The house in North Norwich will always be "The Porter's House".   With the mysterious, intelligent, talented, sometimes crazy children and the delightful, beautiful Mr. & Mrs. Porter and those BIG dogs! 

My brother Pat sends his deepest sympathy as well, with thoughts that she was the most kind, intelligent, loving parent in town.  He remembers a lovely piece of pottery she gave him for graduation...remembering how wonderful she was.

The pictures you have posted bring big smiles to all of us as we remember with much fondness,
the entire Porter family.

The Horton family sending all of you loving thoughts and prayers...and warm, big hugs.

Much love,


Jeff and Jane Stillman

We wish to express our heartfelt sympathies to your family on the passing of a truly exceptional and sensitive woman who always brightened the room. Your parents, Kathy and David, were great friends of our family, Bill & Elizabeth Stillman.
 
Jeff and I got to enjoy Kathy also as she entered our lives as a teaching assistant in the art department at school and as a fellow quilter with the Chenango Piecemakers. She contributed a great deal to both these endeavors. We are so glad that we got to know her.


Above the Clouds

Betsy heard this song at the local deli (Garf's) the morning of Kathy's death. The lyrics seemed to be a timely message.

"Don't cry, hold your head up high. She would want you to." Above the Clouds of Pompeii - Bear's Den

 

HOMESTORIESGALLERY OF PHOTOSCONTACT FAMILY

MEMORIAL FOR KATHERINE PORTER