BROOKLIN
Jean Marie Porter, age 73 of Brooklin, died peacefully at home with her family at her side on Monday, July 24, 2017. Born in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 18, 1943, to Velma Jean (Hey) and Bob Orion Austin, Jean was the oldest of five siblings. She spent most of her childhood in Seattle, Wash. In 1965, she married David Porter of Bronxville, N.Y. After the birth of a daughter, Anne-Marie, in 1967 they moved to the East Coast and eventually to Athens, Ga. Another daughter, Andrea, was born in 1971. They resided in Athens for the next 37 years. In 2006, Jean and David moved to Brooklin. Jean received her undergraduate degree in microbiology from the University of Washington and a Masters in Applied Mathematics from the University of Georgia. She continued her graduate studies in geomorphology and worked toward her doctorate in paleoecology, first at the University of Georgia and then at Duke University. Jean had diverse interests. She became a Master Gardener and organized and led the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Natural History. She was also a member of the Studio Group in Athens, an outlet for her many handsome weavings. She was an accomplished gourmet cook, loved music and enjoyed rowing, hiking, canoeing and travel. Jean was a scientist at heart, but found artistic expression in fiber arts, landscape design and painting. An avid and voracious reader, she was a member of book clubs wherever she lived. She served on the boards of the Blue Hill Concert Association, the Friend Memorial Library of Brooklin and as president of the Brooklin Garden Club. Jean found great solace and contentment in her gardens and her weaving and knitting projects. She loved beautiful things and sought to surround herself with an aesthetic that was admired by many. Above all she treasured her friendships and family. Jean is survived by her loving husband, David Porter, two daughters, Anne-Marie Porter and Andrea Porter, their spouses and families. Jean has five grandchildren who will miss her love, stories and special meals: Tobin Porter-Brown, Jackson Harvi, Marcella Harvi, Camille Porter-Phillips, and Isaac Porter-Phillips. She is also survived by her siblings; Linda Rines, Bob Austin, Patty Maxfield and Micki Hulscher, all of Washington state. Her family will miss her sharp intellect, her sense of humor and her untiring zest for life. A memorial gathering for Jean will be held on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 2 p.m. at Emlen Hall in Blue Hill. All are invited to join her family in a celebration of her life. A West Coast memorial will be held in the summer of 2018. The Jean Porter Memorial Fund has been established through the Hirschberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Donations in her memory may be made by following this link: http://support.pancreatic.org/site/TR/FUNDS/FUNDS?team_id=3069&pg=team&fr_id=1110.
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