Obituary of June L Porter

June L. (Weister) Porter 87 June Porter passed away at Bethel Retirement Community, Modesto, CA. after a period of declining health on September 15, 2011. She was a resident there since May 2009. June was born May 12, 1924 in New Kensington, PA., the youngest of seven children to Harry S. and Ada Virginia (Smeltzer) Weister. She graduated from New Kensington High School in 1942 and worked in the offices of Allegheny Aluminum during the war. June lived in Mass., Ohio, and Erie, PA. working as a secretary in Mass., a reporter-photographer for the local paper in Ohio and in retail before moving to the San Jose area in 1961 with her husband Robert R. Porter whom she married in 1954 and her three children. The family later moved to the Stockton-Lodi area where she lived for thirty years. June and Bob owned and operated the Jackson Sewing Center in Jackson, CA. for many years and later opened a branch in downtown Stockton. June was very active in her children's activities, always volunteering with girl scouts, school field trips, room mother responsibilities, and her son David's and daughter Denise's sports teams. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, playing cards, board games, boating and camping, as well as traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada. She was an avid Sacramento Kings fan cheering them on in her Kings finest. June also loved reading the Lodi Sentinel and did so daily until recently. Her infectious laugh and love of a good time will be remembered by all who knew her. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and the many animals the family rescued throughout the years. She was predeceased by her husband Robert in 1993 and her parents, two brothers and four sisters. She is survived by her children Judith Lahti of Leominster, Mass., David LeBlanc and his wife Lynne of Klamath Falls, OR., Denise Porter of Oakdale, CA. and many nieces and nephews in PA. and AZ. She also leaves behind her "second" families, the Millers and the Kirks of Applegate and Rocklin, CA. with whom she spent many holidays and good times in recent years. A special thank you to the caring and compassionate staffs at Bethel Assisted Living Retirement Community and Community Hospice Inc. of Modesto. They took her into their hearts and kept her happy, active, and comfortable in her final years. Graveside services will be held at Lodi Memorial Cemetery 5750 E. Pine St. Lodi, CA. on Saturday September 24th at 10am. Rocha's Mortuary 215 S. School St. Lodi, CA. is directing arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in June's name may be made to Stanislaus SPCA 4733 Yosemite Blvd. Modesto, CA. 95357 and to Community Hospice Inc. 4368 Spyres Way Modesto, CA. 95356.