Lucy McKewen Porter

Lucy McKewen Porter passed away peacefully on January 8, 2023. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa. While visiting family in Columbus in 1951, Lucy met the love of her life, Sam Porter. Until Sam’s death in 2013, they were a team--tirelessly giving of themselves to their family, friends and community.

As a newcomer to Columbus, Lucy immersed herself into the community with energy and drive. She was involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s schools, the Junior League of Columbus, COSI, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Public Library and Twig 2 to name a few. Lucy received the YWCA Women of Achievement Award in 1992. Her talents were recognized at a state level when she was appointed to the Ohio Historical Society where she later became the Chair and Chair Emeritae.

Lucy had a love for gardening. She was an active member of the Little Garden Club of Columbus for over sixty years. She also served on the Board of the Dawes Arboretum, an organization that gave her particular delight.

Lucy had a fierce commitment and passion for the arts. Lucy and Sam rarely missed a performance by the Columbus Symphony, Pro Musica, Columbus Opera, the Metropolitan Opera or a new exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art. When in her second hometown of Crested Butte, Colorado, Lucy continued to cultivate her love of the arts by taking an active role in the city’s music and theater festivals. But of all these interests and activities, Lucy’s greatest love, outside her family, was the ballet. Lucy joined BalletMet’s Board over forty years ago. She chaired the Board in the late 80s and early 90s and remained actively involved and devoted to its success.

Lucy leaves behind many friends. The family thanks everyone for their outpouring of expressions of love for her. It has been overwhelming. The family would like to give a special mention to her friend and caregiver, Diana Albery.

In the beginning and in the end, the most important part of Lucy’s life was her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie Roselle and Sherlock McKewen, sister, Nancy Curme, brother, Peter McKewen, and her husband of 61 years, Samuel H. Porter. She is survived by her children, Katherine Young (Tim), Samuel Porter Jr (Lucy), William Porter (Anne), and Sarah Good (Scott); her grandchildren, Ned Young (Meghan), Liza Young (Matt Gruber), Mac Young, Samuel Porter, III (Sandi), Anne French (Charles), Molly van Hoogstraten (Daniel), Will and Herb Porter, Thaddeus Davis (Melissa), Corey, Sydney and Cameron Good; her great grandchildren, Whit and Porter Young, Tatum Gruber, Samuel Porter IV, Sally, Caroline and Elizabeth French, Porter and Sally Anne van Hoogstraten, and Alice, Rosie and Virginia Davis.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205. The Memorial Service will be live-streamed and can be found on Broad Street Presbyterian Church’s YouTube page. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Lucy’s memory be made to Broad Street Presbyterian Church, BalletMet, 322 Mt. Vernon Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43215, or Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark, Ohio 43056 or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN.