Obituary of Margaret Ann Porter

Margaret Ann Porter was born in San Jose, California on November 5, 1915 to Merrill and Anna Hassler Tibbits. Ann, as she preferred to be called, spent her youth on the Tibbits family apricot and prune ranch in Evergreen. She was the granddaughter of John and Anne Hassler and Lorenzo and Margaret Emma Tibbits, both Evergreen pioneer families who arrived in the Santa Clara Valley in the mid-1800's. Established in the mid 1840's by her grandfather, the Hassler cattle ranch on Silver Creek Road remained in the family for 130 years. Her father and his parents arrived from Iowa via covered wagon and settled on their fruit ranch in Evergreen in the late 1800's. Despite failing health in recent years, Ann was able to enjoy the comforts of her own home with the help of her daughters. Ann passed away on August 19, 2014 at 98 years of age, with family by her side. Ann attended Evergreen School, Roosevelt Jr High, San Jose High and San Jose State. She married her San Jose State classmate and Evergreen neighbor, Carl Porter, on June 26, 1937. They married at Trinity Episcopal Church in San Jose where her maternal grandparents, John and Anne Henderson Hassler, were married on April 13, 1870. Raising two daughters, caring for the family and volunteer work kept Ann busy in the early years of her marriage to Carl. In the early 1950's, Ann took a courageous step for the times and returned to San Jose State to complete her degree and obtain a teaching credential. A homemaker returning to college was such a unique experience in the 50's that a feature story was written about Ann in the San Jose Mercury News. Ann graduated in February, 1957 as a member of San Jose State's Centennial Class and began her teaching career in the Alum Rock School District. In 1963, Ann and Carl moved to King City to be closer to Carl's well drilling business. Carl and Ann built their home in Pine Canyon and enjoyed entertaining family and friends, involvement in the King City community and travel adventures. Ann continued her teaching career at Greenfield School, teaching reading to ESL students until her retirement in 1978. In 1966, they bought their beach house in Rio Del Mar and spent holidays and summers there with family and friends along with Carl's golfing companions from Seascape Golf Club. Full time residence in Aptos began after retirement. Ann volunteered and participated in AAUW, Santa Cruz Retired Teachers, League of Women Voters, Santa Cruz Chapter of SJSU Alumni, Santa Cruz Symphony Guild and Doran Center (now Vista). Ann became a member of SJSU "Golden Grad" club in 2007 and was quite proud of that achievement. Surviving Ann are her daughters Ardith Porter and Beth Porter of Aptos; granddaughter Tracy Headley and her partner Bruce Clifton of Seattle, WA; granddaughter Erin Page and her husband Ben of Aptos and great grandsons Liam, Gavin and Riley Page of Aptos. Ann was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Carl Porter in 1996, and her only sister, Laverne Wise in 1990. Heartfelt thanks to friends Mary and Lyle Peterson for their loyal friendship and support to Margaret Ann through the years and to all those who held Ann in their thoughts and prayers these last years of declining health. The family also expresses gratitude to Ann's Hospice team who provided supportive and loving care to Ann and family through her journey in passing. The family would appreciate any kind donations in Ann's memory to SJSU Alumni Association, Memorial Scholarship Program, Santa Cruz Area Chapter, P.O. Box 2037, Aptos, CA 95001-2037 or Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. A private memorial will be held at a later date for family and friends. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to express your condolences to Ann's family.