Louise A. (O'Brien) Porter

Louise Ann Porter passed away on June 16th.  Born as Louise Ann O’Brien and called Obie by her close friends, she was the youngest of two children born to Natalie (Matheson) and Richard O’Brien of Marlborough Massachusetts.  Her older brother Richard predeceased her.  Louise attended Marlborough High School where she played varsity basketball and made the honor roll.  She graduated as a registered nurse from Worcester Hahnemann Hospital in 1952 and kept lifelong friendships with many of her classmates.  She began her professional career first at York Maine, then Hahnemann and Marlborough hospitals.  As a visiting nurse she traveled through all seasons to care for homebound patients.  Later in life she did outreach for the Council on Aging, served as a Marlborough School Nurse and then turned to nursing research at the Fallon Clinic.  She returned to school after her children were grown and earned a Bachelors and a Masters Degree from Anna Maria College. She served on the boards of the American Cancer Society and the Visiting Nurse Association.  Her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts may come as a surprise but included co-leading a Brownie Scout troop.

Louise married George Porter, also from Marlborough, soon after graduating from nursing school.  They raised a family on Dudley Street, where Louise had spent her childhood and shared the neighborhood with generations of wonderful families.  Louise and George enjoyed travel and explored Iceland, Egypt, and parts of Europe, cruised in Alaska and safaried in Kenya, before George passed away in 2003.

She enjoyed the company of her loyal dogs, especially after losing her husband. Visits from her granddaughters with their pups made the long COVID days less lonely.

Louise’s most happy moments and many adventures were those shared with her grandchildren, Margaret Porter, Kathryn Porter, Courtney Porter, Nathan Galvez, and Daniel Galvez, who brought her great joy throughout life. 

Louise leaves behind her three children and their partners; Patricia Jackson and Ted Kamataris of Berlin, Linda Porter and Jim Woolsey of Washington, DC, and Steven and Maureen Porter of Upton. 

At her request, the family only will attend a private viewing and service.  No flowers please.  She will be interred in the Maplewood Cemetery, Marlborough Massachusetts at 11:00 AM on Thursday June 23rd, followed by a gathering of family and close friends at the Bolton Street Tavern, 587 Bolton St., Marlborough.