Michelle G. Porter

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Porter, Michelle G. age 51, died Dec. 10, 2017 at home in Minneapolis surrounded by family and friends after giving breast cancer a good fight since a 2010 diagnosis. She is survived by her devoted husband Paul and their children Jonathan (23), Julia (21), Christian (20) and Kieran (17); mother Gail Markey; siblings Elizabeth and Donal Markey, many members of the Porter and Markey families. She was preceded in death by her father, Donal P. Markey. Michelle was born June 22, 1966, in Port Chester, NY. She graduated from Boston College in 1988 and later earned a master's degree from Lesley University. A highlight of her past year was spending two weeks with her family in Florence, Italy, where she had done a semester abroad and worked for a year. Michelle was a bright light in this world, inspiring others and always acting with integrity to live her faith values of justice, hospitality and inclusivity. She loved her work as a teacher, piano teacher, choir director and composer, but most of all as "La Mamma" to her four children. She will be dearly missed by so very many friends in the community -- among them her Book Club, the Dancing Divas, Southwest High School wrestling families, her students and colleagues at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and Lake Harriet United Methodist Church, her piano students, church musician friends, members of Dale Warland Symphonic Chorus and Masterworks Chorale, band members of Dandelion Wine, and her beloved City Singers choir. Michelle left this life having lived fully "con brio." She challenged herself creatively and professionally as a teacher, singer, composer and choir director, cultivated friendships in many circles, and extended herself to create opportunities for others, especially those marginalized in society. A celebration of Michelle's life will be held Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community, 4537 3rd Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN 55419. Luncheon to follow. The family would like to express its deepest gratitude for the kindness, care and medical professionalism she received from Dr. Paul Zander, Kelly Karlen and all at MN Oncology and Abbott Northwestern Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, ISAIAH, or St Stephen's Human Services.

Published on December 12, 2017