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Trilby Porter Obituary
Trilby Porter, née Mammen, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2022, at the age of 83. She grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa, and was a long time resident of Elmhurst. Trilby was the beloved wife of Gerald (Jerry) Porter; loving mother of Todd (Kelly), and Tom (Raquel); proud grandmother of Matthew, Michael (Nicole), Jamie, Stephanie, and Siena, and proud great grandmother of Gracie; dear sister of Jerrilyn Maxwell and the late Sharon Kelly; and loving daughter of the late Audrey, née Knoll and the late Henry Mammen; devoted teacher and friend of many. Trilby and Jerry grew up together in Storm Lake, Iowa. They met in grade school, attended high school and Drake University together, and were then married for 63 years. They moved to Elmhurst shortly after college, where they raised their family, and where Trilby was a beloved kindergarten teacher at Field School, Edison School, and Bethel Learning Center, who touched the hearts and minds of children and families for over 30 years. As several of her former students and their parents have noted following Trilby's passing, "I can hardly remember the names of any of my teachers, but I will always remember Mrs. Porter"; "She was kind and generous, and could make you feel as if you were the only person in the room, a true treasure, and beloved by many"; "Trilby Porter was the first ace I drew in life, and like the poem suggests, everything I ever really needed to know in life I learned in kindergarten…from Mrs. Porter "; "She will live on forever in her students "; and "So much of who our kids are is because of her compassion and caring". Visitation Saturday, February 12, 2022 beginning at 1:00 until time of funeral service 4:00 p.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Interment Private. Live Stream of the service beginning at 4:00 p.m. available through the funeral home website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition 7918 Jones Branch Drive Suite 300 McLean, VA 22102. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Trilby Porter
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6 Entries
Kim Carlson
March 16, 2022
Jerry, Todd and Tom, and families, I am very sad to learn Trilby is no longer with us. She was a dear and thoughtful friend and neighbor to our family and especially to my mom, Shirley, for as long as I can remember. I hold you all in my thoughts as you and so many others grieve her loss. She was one exceptional lady. Know that I live every day with a very endearing memory of the Porter family; my dog wipes her feat on the mat when coming inside just like, and because, your boxers did! Sending love.
Marc, Rochelle and Jennifer
February 6, 2022
Please accept our deepest sympathies in memory of
Trilby Porter.
The Gibbons Family
February 6, 2022
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Sarah Fournier (Borzym)
February 3, 2022
Mrs. Porter was my kindergarten teacher and she was amazing! I can still remember the classroom and different projects we did - painting with chocolate pudding, building blocks, nap time (I still have my blanket...), Eric Carle books, hatching Monarch butterflies, and so much more. My favorite ice cream flavor I only know because of her - Blue Moon. It's still the best ice cream flavor. She was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed.
Gretchen Gamradt
February 2, 2022
Mrs. Porter was my kindergarten teacher and one of my core memories is of Dinosaur Soup. A magical soup that was made of Dinosaurs! As a student in Mrs. Porters class, I was fortunate enough to let my imagination run wild while also learning. Mrs. Porter had the rare talent of making learning fun. This started me on a path of lifelong learning and growing. She was a gem! Lucky to have had her for a moment!
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Memorial Events
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Feb
12
Visitation
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Gibbons Funeral Home - Elmhurst134 South York Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Feb
12
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