Mary E. Porter, 91

HARRINGTON - Mary E. Porter, of Harrington, died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in Milford Center. She was 91.

Born in Farmington, the oldest of seven children, she was the daughter of John and Elsie Legates.

Mrs. Porter was a homemaker.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, crocheting and doing crafts.

Mrs. Porter's family was her life. Raising her children, she made sure they were always properly clothed with their clothes ironed, starched and presentable. She made sure the children always had what they needed, and always put their needs before her own.

Mrs. Porter loved to cook and enjoyed family meal times.

She was very particular and was a perfectionist, everything had its place. She was so particular even her Christmas tree had to be perfect, with the lights standing straight up, or she would take the whole tree down.

Mrs. Porter was a hard worker, not only by raising her children, but in everything that she did.

For a woman, she was a jack of all trades. She had good common sense that allowed her to do anything that she set her mind to.

If something needed to be done, she would ask her husband only one time. If he did not get around to it, she would do it herself, even to the point of tearing out and replacing a threshold.

Mrs. Porter made her own flower boxes out of thick barn board and would drag the heavy boxes to her front porch, fill them with dirt and plant her geraniums.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John E. Porter Sr.; a son, John E. Porter Jr.; three granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; one sister, Martha Derrickson; and three brothers, Wilson Legates, Irvin Legates and Willard Legates; She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Norman "Jack" and Helen Porter of Harrington and James and Darlene Porter of Milton; her daughters and sons-in-law, Doris and Edward Greenlee of Felton, Joyce and William Shockley of Harrington and Julia and Jimmie Quillen of Milford; a brother, John Legates Jr. of Farmington; a sister, Liza Wilkins of Milford; 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington, where friends may call two hour prior.

Interment will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.