Mary Ellen Porter, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, July 18th at Sacred Heart Senior Apartments in St. Francis, WI. She was born in Elkhorn, WI on July 20, 1933, to David and Alice (Welch) Sheehan. Mary Ellen was united in marriage to Donald J. Porter on September 11, 1954, in Chicago, IL. Mary Ellen was a bookkeeper, and worked side by side with her husband to build their business, Porter Painting in the Milwaukee area.
But Mary Ellen was many things - an artist, baker, family historian, sipper (Brandy Old Fashioned - Sweet and Jameson & Gingers), Packer fan, explorer, storyteller, confidant, ice skater, game player, and generous tipper.
In her later years, Mary Ellen was warmly known as SWAM (Sweet Aunt Mary Ellen). She was an aunt to all and loved by everyone (just ask all the people on the Annual SWAM Pub Crawls through St. Francis).
Mary Ellen was a devoted Catholic her whole life. Her prayer book is overflowing with cards and notes detailing those she kept close to her heart. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents; and three siblings (Bea Lawson of Delavan, Frank Sheehan of Salt Lake City, UT, and Edward Sheehan of Phoenix, AZ). Although she and Don never had children, she will be mourned by many family members, friends, and adoring fans of all ages.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 107 W. Walworth Street in Elkhorn, WI. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Tuesday at the church. Burial will take place at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Delavan, immediately following Mass.
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