Obituary of Helen Irene Porter

Helen Irene Ishler Porter died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of September 25, 2015 at her home in Livonia, N.Y. She was 93 years old. Irene was a woman of great beauty, style and compassion. She was extraordinarily well read. Irene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her capacity to listen without prejudice was legendary. Her hugs were an act of genuine love. Laughter, joy and optimism were part of her being. She was a devoted Christian, who felt these precepts should be put into action every day through care, love and liberal political action. Irene was born in State College, Pa. on May 5, 1922 to Helen Coxey Ishler and John G. Ishler. They lived in Boalsburg until moving to State College when Irene was ten years old. She graduated from State College Area High School in 1939, followed by graduation from Wilfred Culture Academy in Pittsburgh. Irene returned to State College and worked for Freda and George Smith at their beauty parlor. On June 21st, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Harold (Bud) Porter. They were married for 64 years until Bud's death in 2006. They raised six children together with love, chaos and family. Irene was the center of their home and lives, where everyone was welcome, both human and animal. Until the mid 1960's she was able to stay at home caring for her many children and being a "professional volunteer." When the family economic situation required Irene to go back to work, with much trepidation, she went to work for Fanny Farmer candy stores. Irene's gregarious nature made her a natural at sales, and she was soon promoted to manager with training and supervisory responsibilities. She moved with the company management when they were bought by Hickory Farms. Irene spent many years in a senior management position, training employees and opening stores across the Northeast. She was named one of Hickory Farms' top managers in the country many times. After retiring, she continued to work at her son John's paint store in State College until she was 85. In her spare time, she taught Sunday school, volunteered at Re Store, part of Habitat for Humanity, as well as helping Bud volunteer at the Food Bank ,Meals on Wheels, Mt Nitanty Medical Center for many years and was a member of the State College Presbyterian Church. Irene was preceded in death by her husband Bud, son John, parents John and Helen Coxey, Sister Nancy Yingling, granddaughter Ali Freestone, nephew Harold Porter, and daughter-in-law Sharon Porter. Irene is survived by daughter Shirley Porter Richardson and husband David of Flagstaff, AZ. and grandson Noah and great grandson Dylan in AZ., grandson Joshua and wife Melanie, great grandsons Duncan and Connor in Illinois; son Edward and wife Linda in Maine; grandson Jared, wife Peg, great grandson Elijah in Massachusetts, grandson Christian in Maine; grandchildren Sarah and Liam in Massachusetts; son David and wife Joyce in State College, PA. and their children Robert, granddaughter Heidi Handler and Alex Sahakian, great grandchildren Grace, Daniel and Max in State College, granddaughter Krista Espinoza and husband Jimmy and great grandchildren Eli and Lola in Pennsylvania Furnace, granddaughter Katie Shoemaker and husband Jeff and great grandchildren David and Molly in State College, grandson Andrew and Rebecca Robertson in Coburn, PA., grandson Matthew in State College, grandson Luke serving in the U.S. Army in Colorado Springs, CO., grandson Micah and wife Maya in Harrisburg, granddaughter Megan Sweeney and husband Shawn in Culpeper, VA., and grandchildren Sam, Payton, Corrie, Clarre and Joie in State College; daughter Dana Porter Miller and husband Bill in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, grandchildren Willy and wife Libby and great grandchildren Cora and Bud in Montana, Zachary in Idaho, Buck in Montana, and Rose Miller O'Berry and husband Lane and great grandson Porter in Utah; daughter Lisa Porter Freestone in Livonia, N.Y., grandchildren Nell and husband Chuck, great granddaughters Allie and Emma in N.Y., grandsons Tucker in N.Y., Jake serving in the U.S. Army; granddaughters Mariesa Porter Sajdowitz and great grandson Jared in Wisconsin, Sarah Porter Thompson and husband Ryan and great grandson Nolan, children of John Porter and Rebecca Kipp of California. Irene also leaves behind niece Peggy and husband Bill Fidler of Kentucky and family, nephew George Petitgout and wife Cathy of Delaware and Pennsylvania and family, nephew Richard Porter and wife Jeanne of State College and New York City and family, niece Donna and husband Gary DuBois and son of PA. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 20th at the United Methodist Church of Livonia, N.Y. at 21 Summers Street, Livonia, N.Y. Graveside burial will be in the Boalsburg Cemetery in Boalsburg, PA. at 1:30 P.M. on October 21st. There will be a memorial service at the Presbyterian Church in State College, Pa. on October 24 or 25. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to "Heifer International" at www.heifer.org. Services are under the direction of Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College Pa.