Obituary of Carol Porter

Carol Ann (Poznesh) Porter, a resident of Burlington for 50 years, passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon, June 9, 2009. The wife of the late George Porter she was 85 years old. Carol was born, raised and educated in Arlington. She was the daughter of Polish immigrants the late Konstanty and Mary Rose Poznesh. Carol and her husband settled in Burlington in 1958 where they raised their daughter Mary and made many special friendships. Prior to her retirement Carol worked as a Waitress at the Charter House in Waltham, a Secretary for Electrolux, and a Cafeteria worker at the Pine Glenn School. Carol was a talented seamstress. She taught sewing at for the Bedford High Adult Education Program. Carol will be deeply missed by her daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and her many close friends. Carol was the beloved wife of the late George. She was the loving mother of Mary Roberto & her husband William of Billerica. She was the sister of the late Helen Poznesh and Josephine Collett. She was the loving grandmother of Cherilyn Roberto of Billerica. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington on Saturday, June 13 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours omitted. Interment in Fox Hill Cemetery, Billerica. In lieu of flowers memorials in Carol’s name may be made to Lahey Clinic Cardiology, c/o Philanthropy Dept., 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805. Mary's Word's of Rememberance I would like to thank everyone for coming today and for all your support during this time. On the outside my mother looked like a frail, 90 pound weakling But on the inside she was a strong, highly motivated, independent person. My mother lived each day as if she had 50 more years left in her life. There aren’t many people at 85 who would work hard to improve their lifestyle. I saw this progress and made her the offer to come live with me and it was an enjoyable 5 months. Imagine being in your 80’s and working really hard at physical therapy so you don’t have to rely on anyone to help you………………..that was my mother…….. Have you ever heard of anyone in rehabilitation at a skilled nursing facility……….check themselves out after a few hours and take a cab home???? That’s my mother………. Has anyone ever called you and told you they drove themselves to Lahey Clinic, checked themselves in, were going to have a blood transfusion and would drive themselves home the next day???? That’s my mother……… Did your mother ever hold you hostage in her skilled nursing facility until her son-in-law came back from the package store with a little nip???? That’s my mother………. Did you ever hear of a nurse disciplining someone at the age of 81 for smuggling a nip into her skilled nursing room and asking one of the residents if she wanted a drink???? That’s my mother………. Did you ever know anyone who fell in the grocery store and broke their hip and did not care one bit about the hip but was only concerned about their wig falling off and flying done the isle???? That’s my mother……….. When I picked my mother up after a job interview I had…..she told me that there was no way I was getting the job because my perfume was way to strong???? That’s my mother………… Did anyone ever tell you that the first time they got stopped for speeding was on Lexington Street at the ripe old age of 80………….and couldn’t find their license….so asked if the senior citizen discount card with the MBTA was acceptable???? That’s my mother…………. Did you know anyone who wore skirts and nylons 365 days a year………now you do!!!! (Imagine sitting watching TV comfortably in nylons all night) That’s my mother……. Did your mother ever call you up and tell you that she was just watching “Americas most wanted” and the guy “most wanted” was on her bowling team???? That’s my mother……… Did you know anyone who picked out a nursing home for their sister based on the criteria that there was a lounge on the first floor???? That’s my mother………….. Did your mother ever get in your car for a long ride to NY with her Poland Springs bottle filled with Seagram’s 7………….I guess it was suppose to pass for ice tea….. That’s my mother………. Those are just a few of the many stories I can remember through the years……..but there are plenty more. My mother died on Tuesday in the cardiac care unit at Lahey Clinic. The Doctors, Nurses and Assistants took wonderful care of my mother. When I would go up and visit I would see them talking to her and listening to her crazy stories during their down time. So even though I missed the event by a matter of an hour…..my mother didn’t die with Doctors, Nurses and Assistants……………she died with friends. Most of you who know my mother………….know she loves her cocktails. So nothing is more appropriate than to have a toast in her honor……… A dry Rob Roy straight up with a twist was her favorite drink so imagine it in this glass…. Before we say Good Bye We hold our glasses way up high Let’s give a toast to Carol and her Rob Roy For nothing could bring her much more joy As she now joins her sisters she holds so dear And her husband is there to calm her fear As we send her to heaven up above We send with her all our love