In Memoriam: Barbara MacArthur Porterfield

From Hoyt Funeral Home.

Barbara MacArthur Porterfield passed away peacefully November 12, 2015, in her home. She was 87 years old.

Barbara was born in Elmhurst, Illinois on March 19, 1928.

She was the daughter of the late John and Gwladys (Evans) MacArthur. She graduated from Lake Forest College where she was a Chi Omega in 1950 with a BFA in Education. She married Louis Porterfield on June 16, 1951 in Woodstock, Illinois. Barbara taught sixth grade for four years in Crystal Lake, Illinois. She was the first married and then first pregnant teacher that was allowed to teach in the district. They lived in Crystal Lake until 1972 when they moved to New Canaan.

During her 43 years in New Canaan, Barbara was an active volunteer. She was a member of the New Canaan Sewing Group, a 55 year member and past President of P.E.O., member of The Garden Club where she helped chair The Festival of Trees, a 37 year member of The Woodway Country Club, a member and past President of Newcomer’s Club, a volunteer at The New Canaan Inn and a 43-year member of The Congregational Church where she was also a member to the Women of Wisdom. Barbara was an avid bridge player in many bridge clubs, played and avidly watched tennis, and loved to knit. She had a passion for travelling and had many wonderful excursions with her great group of friends, including her favorite, an African safari.

Mimi, as referred to by her grandchildren and well-known to many people in town, loved watching her grandchildren compete in all of their sports and strongly supported them in their academia. She was just as well known for being the first one to bake her famous coffee cakes and English toffee for anyone in need or as a treat for anyone she knew.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Amy and her son-in-law John Burke of New Canaan and their daughters, Emma and Madison, daughter Molly Porterfield of Winnetka, Illinois, and her children Mac and Ellie Hanslip, and son John of Florida.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Louis in 2000, her parents and her older brother John.

The family would love to thank her wonderful friends and her aide Liliana who were so kind and by her side during her illness.

A memorial gathering will take place on December 5, at 11 AM at The Congregational Church in New Canaan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Alzheimer Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th floor, New York, NY 10001 or P.E.O. The New Canaan Chapter N, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 in care of the treasurer.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan.

For online condolences, please visit: www.hoytfuneralhome.com