Phyllis Sandy Porter

Sandy Porter of Concord passed away peacefully at home September 11, 2014 at the age of 84. She was the wonderful wife of David B. Porter for 55 years.

Sandy was born in Jamestown New York October 29, 1929. Her parents, C. Richard Johnson and Audrey DeEtte Sealy were both native to upstate New York. She lived in a primarily Swedish community and excelled at the sport of speed skating. She frequently attended events at nearby Chautauqua during her summer vacations where her interest in the fine and performing arts was sparked. She attended Jamestown High School, class of 1947 and Flora Stone Mather (Case Western Reserve) and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Social Work in 1951. She worked as a Social Worker in both Jamestown and Boston (State Division of Child Guardianship) prior to starting her family.

In 1957 Sandy followed her sister Audrey "Johnnie" Dole to the Boston area where she met and married her husband, Dave, in April of 1959. They settled in Concord in 1963, raised two children, and lived there happily for 51 years. Sandy was a wonderful wife, loving mother, friend, volunteer and a hostess extraordinaire. She volunteered at Emerson Hospital for many years as well as at the Concord Antiquarian Society where she specialized in arranging flowers in the various period rooms. She was a founding member of "The Lady Painter's" here in Concord, a wonderful group of friends who supported her when she took up painting at the age of 70.

Sandy was a sports participant and enthusiast; an accomplished skier, tennis player, golfer, and an avid fan of The New England Patriots. She and Dave bought the first condominium ever built in Waterville Valley, NH, in 1967 and spent 37 years on the slopes with a wonderful group of friends.

Sandy was very active at Concord Country Club – members since 1974, Sandy served on many committees over the years. She and her husband, Dave, co-chaired the arrangements committee for the club's Centennial Celebration in 1995. She was informally known as the "Hostess" for Friday night dinners and was the first on the dance floor at club events and the last to leave.

Sandy loved to travel and she and Dave explored many parts of the US and elsewhere that took them to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica. Most of all, Sandy loved people more than anything. She lived first as a friend. Wherever she was, she made it a point to meet new people, learn something about them, and then make introductions to others to build community. Finally, she had a prodigious memory for little things - like, what a hostess served at a dinner party twenty years in the past or what the hostess wore that night …but maybe not their name.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, David B. Porter, her daughter Susan P. Williamson and son-in-law Todd G. Williamson of Wellesley and grandchildren John A. Williamson and Sarah A. Williamson, and son John H. Porter of Bailey, CO. Recently predeceased by her sister Audrey "Johnnie", she is also survived by her brother in law William P. Dole of Westwood and nieces and nephews William K. Dole and wife Vivian of Wellesley, Elizabeth Dole of Lake Worth, FL. Christopher J. Porter and wife Margaret of Concord, NH, Jeffery M. Porter of Downington, PA, and Jennifer A. Porter of Minneapolis, MN.

A gathering of friends and family to celebrate Sandy's life and spirit will be held on
Sunday October 19th at 2:00 pm
Concord Country Club
246 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner
Concord, MA 01742

Interment will be private at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:
The Massachusetts Chapter of The Alzheimer's Association
480 Pleasant Street
Watertown, MA 02472