Jean Martha Porter (Maier)

Porte (Maier), Jean Martha

Of Jackson, Michigan passed away on December 11, 2015 at the age of 91. Jean was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be missed greatly by all. Everyone that knew her called her sweet and that is how she will be remembered.

Jean was born to Harry and Martha Maier in New Jersey. She served her country as a member of the WAVES. While in the service she met the love of her life, Leonard K. Porter. Leonard and Jean were married and moved to Jackson, Michigan where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives. Jean was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Parish where she was active on the Funeral Luncheon Committee, CCD, the Altar Society and the choir. She was involved in the Girl Scouts and also served the Jackson community through Respite and tutoring in the Jackson Public Schools.

Preceding Jean in death were her parents, her husband of 46 years, Leonard, in 1996, her sister, Franny, and son-in-law, John Nelson. Surviving are her sisters, Millie Hynes, and Sister Mary Maier, and brother-in-law, Jack (Doris) Laurent.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Martha (Ken) Schneider of Newark Valley, New York, Jerry Porter of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Nancy Nelson of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Mary Jo (Tom) Platte of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sue Dailey and her fiancée Chris Murray, of Lake Orion, Michigan, and Julie Gaber, of New Berlin, Wisconsin.

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Rebecca (Matthew) Kessler, Christy (Jimmy) Landon, Kelly (Tim) Scott, Steven (Lauren) Nelson, Michael (Maria) Nelson, Katie (Matt Smith) Platte, Beth (Tom Landvatter) Platte, Tommy (Emily) Platte, Andrew (Bree) Gaber, Emily Gaber, and Paul Gaber and her great-grandchildren: Eddie, Rose, Amara, Isla, Porter, Charlotte, Zeke, Henry, Immanuel, and Susie and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of the memory care unit at Vista Grande who took care of Jean for the past 3 years and to the staff at Allegiance Hospital who comforted her in her last days.

Mrs. Porter is at the Desnoyer Funeral Home where a Prayer Service will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 9:30 AM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Father Tim Nelson will officiate at the Funeral Mass.

The family will receive friends at the Desnoyer Funeral Home on Monday from 5 to 8 PM with a Rosary Service at 6:00 PM.

Instead of flowers the family ask that contributions be made to St. Mary Parish or the Jackson Host Lions Club.


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