Betty Joe Porter, nee Thompson, died June 28 after a short illness. She was raised in Chicago and Palatine, Illinois. She attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, where she met her husband of 60 years, Dale Porter. While raising a family she also became Director of medical writing with the Upjohn company, later part of Pfizer Pharmaceutical Co. She also acted as a Pfizer envoy to foreign state drug administrations, for which she traveled widely. She and Dale retired to Nederland, Colorado, where she served on the town planning commission and town board, serving twice as mayor pro tem. In 2018 she and Dale moved to Longmont and were among the first members of the Village Co-operative, a senior co-housing community. There she headed the marketing committee and became known for her compulsive knitting and creative quilting. Having lived in Mexico in the ‘70’s, she continued her study of Spanish. which aided her volunteer work as a teacher of immigrants in Michigan and Colorado.
Betty leaves behind her husband Dale; son James Porter of Longmont; Alex Porter of Kentwood, Michigan; and daughter Stephanie Porter, MD, of Gunnison; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She was a vital part of her family and community and will be cherished for her remarkable character and spirit.
We would like to invite all people who knew Betty Porter to honor, share stories and celebrate her life this Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Senior Lunch room in the Nederland Community Center. It will be from 11 to 1 p.m. Please contact Karen Isaac with any questions at 303-475-4511.
