Dorothy “Dort” Porter, the youngest child of Russell and Agnes Jorgensen, was born in Wilmot, South Dakota. She was a small child when the Dust Bowl hit, and at age 6, she relocated to Davenport, Iowa, with her mother, older brother Bill, sister Norma, and other family members in quest of a better life.
She participated actively in the debate team and the drama club at Davenport High School, where she received her diploma. Before her father unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack and she had to return home to take care of her mother, she was a student at Monmouth College.
Dort relocated to San Francisco six years later in pursuit of excitement and collected enough money to travel to Europe with her buddies on the QE2.
When Dort returned to Davenport a month later, Robert Porter—whom she later described as “the most attractive man I’ve ever met”—was put up on a blind date. After a quick six-week engagement, Dort married Robert “Bob” Porter in 1958, beginning their exciting 60-year union.
Dort excelled at organisational development and worked as a secretary in a variety of businesses and nonprofits. As the wife and life partner of a government civil servant, she relocated her family to Iowa, Okinawa, and Sierra Vista in Arizona before returning to Iowa.
She and Bob served in Germany for six years, stationed in Grafenwoehr, where they travelled far and established a lot of friends they will have for life, before retiring to Sun Lakes, Arizona.
She had numerous pets during her life and was highly recognised for her love of animals. Dort was a creative person who was constantly learning new skills, whether it was ceramics, sewing clothes for her kids, making slipcovers for the furniture, gardening and flower arranging, painting, or complex needlework.
She and Bob travelled the country well into their 70s, showcasing and selling their distinctive gourd artwork. Nothing made Dort happier than spending time with her family, who she adored. She visited both friends and relatives long into her 80s when travelling.
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Her husband, eldest daughter Amy, great-granddaughter Carlie, brother William, and sister Marjory predeceased her.
She is survived by her cherished sister Norma, her children Beth and Lynn, Terry, and their spouses William, Mike, and Reeda; grandchildren Lorien, Lindsay, Lydia, Taylor, Rachael, Cali, Elizabeth Zach and Aiden; great grandchildren Ian, Hayden, Zelda, Nehemiah, and Khloe; and great-great grandchildren Nehemiah, Nehemiah, and Khloe.
She was proud to be many peoples’ auntie and cousin, as well as a close friend to everyone who was lucky enough to meet her.
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