Final Words

Heaven was graced with the spirit of Emily Wardwell Porter on Saturday, September 11, 2010. Her life, though short in years, was a gift to all who knew her. Born on December 4, 1975, she was a bright, beautiful and imaginative child. She graduated from Bend Senior High, where she was a varsity football and basketball cheerleader. In 1998, she received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Western Oregon University. After college, she pursued a variety of career interests, including work at Tektronix, Western Business College, Clinical Options and Shiftwise.

Emily also tried many types of recreational activities over the years. She enjoyed hiking, canoeing, kayaking and even spent one summer on a Dragon Boat team. She loved to travel and always had a new idea of a place she wanted to visit. But, above everything else, she loved music. Going to a concert or a musical was always her ideal way to spend a day. Never was she happier than those hours spent listening to live music or watching a grand theatrical performance.

In 2007, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she fought tirelessly. When traditional treatments failed her, she researched alternative choices and drastically altered her lifestyle in an effort to make herself healthy again. Her resilience and dedication to her own recovery garnered much respect and admiration from all those around her.

She is survived by her parents, John and Priscilla Porter and sister Lisa von Wasmuth and her beloved nieces Kathryn and Jocelyn. Her beautiful smile and contagious laughter will never be forgotten. A memorial service will be held on October 9, 2010 at 3pm at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice Southwest, PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.