Jane Tully Porter passed away peacefully on December 3, 2018 at her home in Redding, CT. She was born on October 4, 1921 in Yonkers NY to Andrew and Gertrude Tully. Jane was predeceased by her loving husband, John E. Porter Jr.
Jane attended Trinity Preparatory School in Ilcheste, Maryland. She graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent with a Bachelor of Science in English and a Master’s in English literature from Columbia University.
Upon graduation she decided to enter the business world, working at several positions in midtown New York. She was an executive secretary to the President of Industrial Surveys and executive secretary to the Vice President in charge of the eastern area for the Matson Line steamship company based in San Francisco. She taught and was appointed Dean at the Katherine Gibbs School. Jane was instrumental in getting Governor O’Neil to sign the charter for Katherine Gibbs to become a junior college.
In 1943, she volunteered as a WAVE serving three years as an ensign and lieutenant junior grade in the ammunition section of the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington DC.
Jane served as president of the Junior Guild of Yonkers during its 25th anniversary and then as the Christmas mother for the City of Yonkers. Jane was an active tennis player and belonged to the Amackassin Club in Yonkers, NY, where she met John Endicott Porter Jr. They married and made their home in Old Greenwich, CT. The pair joined the Innis Arden Country Club in Old Greenwich, CT. Since golf was part of the membership, they learned to play and became passionate about the game. Jane was a member of the nine-hole group until her handicap improved and she transferred to the 18-holers.
After her husband’s retirement and eventual death, Jane moved to Meadow Ridge in Redding CT. Jane loved singing in her church choir, traveling, and attending Broadway shows.
In addition to her parents and husband, Jane was predeceased by her brother, Andrew Tully; sister, Grace Friend; her nephew, Richard Friend; nephew-in-laws, Patrick Maloney, Paul Carpenter and Dennis Richardson.
She is survived by many nieces: Susan Maloney, Barbara (John) Mazzone, Joan Carpenter, Margaret Fross, Susan (Bruce) Parker, Patricia (Louis) LeFevre and Jean Myers. Many great nieces and nephews also survive.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Dec. 7, 2018 at 11a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 30 Church St., Georgetown, CT. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Danvers, MA at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers please consider giving a donation in Jane T. Porter’s memory to Doctors without Borders, POB 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or a charity of your choice.
