Esther Anne Porter

Esther Anne (Peaslee) Porter, passed away December 6, 2014, lifelong resident of Weymouth MA, age 82, at home lovingly surrounded by her family.

Beloved wife of  62 years of Harold A. Porter of Weymouth. Loving mother of; Aimee E. Dunne and her husband Jim of Kathleen Georgia; Lynn Anne Porter of Cataumet; Karen L. Thorne and her husband Bill of Weymouth; Laurie J. Porter of Weymouth, David S. Porter and his wife Maryan of Pembroke. Also lovingly survived by extended family members Philip A. Drouin and Pamela I. Drouin both of Marshfield. Cherished grandmother; “Nonnie”, of Katrina Anne Thorne of Burlington, Daniel L. Thorne of Weymouth, Philip A. Drouin Jr. and Elizabeth Anne Drouin both of Marshfield. Anne is also survived by a niece, a nephew, and many cousins. She was the daughter of the late Austin L. Peaslee and Anna C. “Daisy” (Tassell) Peaslee Pasteris. 

Anne was a 1951 graduate of Weymouth High School. She was a member of the Weymouth United Methodist Church, Weymouth Art Association, and Mayflower Chapter #65 Order of the Eastern Star in East Weymouth/Brockton. 

Anne devoted her life to the youth of the community and youth organizations. She was a Past Worthy Advisor, Past Mother Advisor and Advisory Board Member of Weymouth Assembly #19, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Anne was awarded “Honorary Member” for over 55 years of consecutive, dedicated service to this organization.  She was awarded The Grand Cross of Color for Distinguished Services.  Anne was Past President and member of the Board of Directors of the Rainbow Camp Corporation in Hanson MA. In addition to teaching Sunday School for nine years, she was a Past Superintendent of Sunday School at The Weymouth United Methodist Church. 

Anne became an accomplished artist. She had won several awards for her artwork. In addition to oils and acrylics, she also worked with watercolor, pencil and other media. For several years she painted weekly with a small group of other talented artists. Anne’s artwork has been sold or generously given away in the USA and Canada. She painted all her life, starting around the age of three. When she was seven, Anne painted her father’s tools. He was not happy to see his workbench and vise painted with flowers. Although she had no formal training in art, she was strongly encouraged from an early age by her supportive mother. Paper, canvas, and paints were always available; despite the grade school teacher who told her she “would never be able to draw a straight line with a ruler”.

Anne and her husband enjoyed traveling. Many of her paintings reflect the various regions of the United States and the North American Continent they visited. Her ideas and inspiration were most often found on back roads, off the beaten path, during life’s journeys and adventures. Her creativity provided solutions in seemingly impossible situations. While driving through the desert of New Mexico she was witness to a spectacular sunset. Using three tubes of paint, a canvas which happened to be in the car and makeup brushes, she caught the moment beautifully. Hawaii’s magnificent ocean and sunsets resulted in one of her prize-winning paintings.

The awards for artwork are many including several first place ribbons. But Anne was most pleased to have two paintings on exhibit voted as Most Popular as this showed others enjoyed her artwork. Her artwork is recognized with the signature E. Anne Porter. 

Anne and her husband Harold spent many years together working on family genealogy; their own and each other’s. This work so far has a compilation of at least seventeen volumes of books including photos. As a young girl, Anne’s earliest knowledge of her ancestry was her full-blooded Native American paternal great grandmother. Anne is descended on her paternal side from The Naumkeag People and on her maternal side from The Mi’kmaq First Nation. Anne’s Native American heritage was important to her. She was raised and lived with the cultural traditions in keeping with her heritage. Coming and going to grade school each day she always passed her grandmother and grandfather’s home and store “Peaslee Lock”; (later home to Ford Florist and Jackson Square Paint). One day Anne was on her way home and it had been a difficult day. Her grandfather noticed she was feeling a little down that day and asked her about it. She said two boastful girls were saying that she (Anne) was not as important as they were. They had ancestors who came over on the Mayflower. Her grandfather told her “Next time anyone says that to you, you can proudly tell them; “My ancestors were here to meet them”. This advice and many other conversations that followed served Anne well throughout her life. Her grandfather would be proud that she too taught her family and others about her heritage and looking at things from an unexpected perspective. 

Anne’s other interests included: interior design and decorating, furniture refinishing, gardening, sewing and needlework, card making and crafts.  Anne and her family would like to express gratitude to the many compassionate health professionals over the years who provided her care throughout her long journey and appreciation for neighbors and friends for their loving and constant support. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Friday 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea Street (off RT.3A-Bicknell Sq.)  Funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 AM in McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea St. (off Rt. 3A-Bicknell Sq.), Weymouth. Burial in Old North Cemetery, Weymouth.

Donations in her memory may be made to The Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston MA 02114 or Hospice of the South Shore, 30 Reservoir Park Drive, Rockland MA 02370.