Shirley L. Porter

Shirley Porter, 81, of Pleasant Street in St. Johnsbury, VT passed away peacefully at the Pines Wednesday night, July 23, 2025, joining her husband, John Porter, Sr. and her son John Porter, Jr., in heaven. Shirley was born in Lancaster, NH on November 17, 1943, to the late Herbert and Mattie Holloway. She married John Richard Porter on September 20, 1959. They shared 57 years together before John passed away in 2016. Shirley was also predeceased by her son John Porter, Jr. 1943, at the age of 42 in 2007. 

She is survived by her two daughters, Valerie Morse and her partner Bob Cavelius of Haverhill, NH, and Gail Porter, and her roommate Michelle Dumas (to whom she was like a mother) both of Lyndonville, VT. Her family was so important to Shirley, and she thought the world of her grandchildren who did so much for her as her health declined, Kevin Harran and partner Chrissy Houghton of St. Johnsbury, VT, Mark Harran and partner Felicia Nadeau of Waterford, VT, and Melissa Wilson of South Hadley, MA. 

She was so excited when Melissa gave birth to her first great grandson, Heniek, in December 2024, and was looking forward to the birth of Mark and Felicia’s baby, her first great granddaughter, in October 2025. Shirley will no doubt be watching over these littlest family members! 

Shirley is survived by her sister in laws, Faith Porter, and Jane St. Onge, and their children, her niece, Janice Jackson and husband Bob of Lyndonville, VT, and their children, her niece Lorna Persons of St. Johnsbury, VT, and her children. Janice and Lorna were like sisters to Shirley. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Raymond Holloway, Jr., who she always celebrated hers and his birthdays with each other. 

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, her sister Mildred Wood, her brother George Holloway and his wife Annette, her brother Raymond Holloway, sister in law, Donna Rowell and her husband Charlie, as well as several nieces and nephews who have passed, some who were like siblings to her, Bruce Wood, Brent Wood, Darlene Douse, and Rena Nunn, and nephew in law Dewey Persons, Sr. 

The family will have calling hours for Shirley at the Sayles Funeral Home on Summer Street in St. Johnsbury, VT on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, with a graveside service for family and a celebration of life to be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the activities fund at The Pines Rehabilitation and Health, 601 Red Village Rd., Lyndonville, VT 05851.

Memories and condolences may be shared with family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com.