Return to Obituaries Return to home page Send condolence

PORTER, BARBARA -- Barbara M. (Chase) Porter, 80, a longtime Danvers resident, died August 10, 2008 in Hampton, NH following a brief illness. She was the wife of Robert G. Porter.
Born in Danversport on Aug. 18, 1927, she was the first of nine children of the late Raymond and Ruth (Horne) Chase Sr. She attended Danvers schools and was a member of the Class of 1945 at Holten High School.
In 1946, she began her career at New England Telephone as a telephone operator, and in 1986 retired from the accounting department there. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
She and her husband enjoyed camping trips across the country totaling some 37,00 miles. During their first camping trip in 1960, along with Grandpa Ulysses G. Porter, the family was guests on the Art Linkletter TV show recognizing Grandpa's first camping trip at age 97.
For many years, Barbara and her family enjoyed sailing the costal waters from Jubilee Yacht Club in Beverly and later maintained a second home in Heath, in the Northwest Berkshires. During the 1990s, she and her husband traveled extensively in Europe.
Besides her husband of 61 years, she is survived by a daughter, Barbara Ann Keyes of Danvers, a son, Robert G. Porter, Jr., of So. Easton, her grandchildren: Kenneth Keyes of FL, Amy Porter of Costa Rica, David Porter of Brockton, Farren Keyes of Rowley, and Micaela Robinson of Marblehead, four great-grandchildren: Harrison Gilliss, Emily Keyes, Kenneth Keyes, and Charles Baxter; four sisters: Lois Mahoney, Helen Carter, Joanne Thomas, and Shirley Angelakis.
She was predeceased by four brothers and sisters: Raymond Chase Jr., Bertram Chase, Lorraine Mallia, and Susan Mallia, and her granddaughter Kristen Keyes Gillis and her unborn son, Hayden Gilliss.
Her Graveside Service will be Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 at 11AM in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Sylvan St., Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4-8PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Porter's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church, 1 Water St., Danvers, MA 01923.

Send condolence