Linda M. Porter

Linda M. Porter,

69, of Jackson, passed away January 24, 2023 as a result of injuries sustained in a bicycle/car accident.

Linda was born on April 17, 1953 in Detroit to Fay and Norbert Wegiel, the second of four children.

Linda is survived by her son Zachary Porter of Perrysburg, Ohio, a sister Betty Perkis (Bill) of Ironwood, and a brother Frank Wegiel of Montreal, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents Fay and Norbert Wegiel and her youngest brother, Norman Wegiel.

She was a Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse for over 40 years, most recently at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing where she was known as Sparrow's Singing Nurse.  A video interview is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l7evn8MVLg .  She was nominated for Nurse of the Year in 2014.

Linda will be remembered by:
·    her son as a devoted, loving mother who unselfishly went out of her way to provide the best for him, having an involved, integral role in his development from childhood through young adulthood, as well as being a traveling companion on the Appalachian Trail and many trips out west.
·    by her co-workers for her incomparable wit, her dedication to the nursing profession, and her humorous nursing-related musical parodies.
·    by her family for her great musical talent, sense of humor, and her insatiable love of exercising.
·    by her church family at St. Mary Star of the Sea for her deep devotion to the Catholic faith demonstrated by sharing her musical ability of guitar playing and singing at the 5:30 PM Mass for over 30 years, and her willingness to lend a hand when the need arose.
·    by her neighbors as an energetic athlete who loved Golden Retrievers.
·    by her friends as a symphony concert companion, a listening ear, advice giver when asked, a hard worker, and as the one who brightened other's days with her humor and encouraging words.

Linda's life may be summarized by a Nurse's Prayer:

"Give me strength and wisdom when others need my touch,
a soothing word to speak to them, their hearts yearn for so much.
Give me joy and laughter to lift a weary soul.
Fill me with compassion to make the broken whole.
Give me healing hands, for those placed in my care,
a blessing to those who need me.
This is a nurse's prayer."  -Author Unknown

To know Linda was a true gift. She lived her Catholic faith by word and example. Linda touched many hearts in a positive, uplifting way and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. She truly made the world a better place.

Cremation has taken place.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Jackson Saturday, May 20 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Timothy Nelson presiding. A family visitation will precede the funeral, beginning at 9:00 AM.

Committal services and inurnment will be Monday, May 22 at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Desnoyer Funeral Home in Jackson.  To send online condolences or memories, please go to https://www.desnoyerfuneralhome.com/

In lieu of flowers, consider a contribution to Operation Smile at https://www.operationsmile.org/ or the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
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