Jan Porterfield, Artist

Richard York on Jan Porterfield (Yearbook Photo)
Received June 25, 2007.

Jan Porterfield in 2007 from on-line article.

You might recall that at one of our planning meetings I told you about the interesting path that I took to located Jan Porterfield. I found that she was an artist and her artwork had been on display at a gallery in Anchorage. Since I didn’t have a direct email, address or phone for her, I went through the art gallery that Jan had her works displayed at - - - and it worked. After my request passed through a couple of hands, Jan did reply. Her message was: “I am Janet K. Porterfield and graduated from North in 1967 – Thanks for persisting in trying to find me – I won’t be able to attend the reunion – I hope that you all have a great time – Jan.”

Now we know the rest of the story. Jan died of cancer on June 21, 2007, the first day of summer. I’m guessing that the beginning of the Summer Solstice (June 21st) is celebrated with greater joy in Anchorage than in Wichita . Still, that day of celebration had to be tempered with their loss - of Jan Porterfield. Although it saddens all of us to lose a classmate, we will remember each one with our thoughts and prayers. Craig’s offer to play some appropriate music to commemorate our high school friendships, especially of those that join us in spirit, appears to be mounting in importance. (Thanks Craig)

Jan Porterfield as a North High Student

If you would like to know more about Jan Porterfield, it’s quite easy. Do a Google search and just type in “Jan Porterfield.” The first five hits are all about Jan! (Note: In my internet searching for classmates, only about one or two in ten ever turn up on a Google search.) Like many of the other classmates that have died, cancer is the leading cause of death. Jan Porterfield is survived by a husband (Jeff Friedman) and son (Sam) …. and some of the most vividly colored botanical artwork that I have ever seen.

You might find it interesting to note that in Jan’s bio, at the art gallery, her first words were of home – “Jan was born and raised in Kansas .” And, it was because of those words that I knew that I had to persist in contacting Jan.

As you are pondering this news, you might ponder this as well. Most of you know that my investigative files, for locating our class members, have grown immensely. I keep a separate folder just for the emails that I have sent to class members. If I receive a contact from them, I staple their response to my original email and they are just loosely placed into that folder. I’ve meant to alphabetize this file, but just haven’t gotten around to it. So, the email responses are in no particular order and there are over one hundred such pages in that folder. Well, this morning, while preparing this email, I went to look for the emails that were to and from Jan Porterfield. Despite all of the disorganization in this file, the file just fell open - to Jan’s email. I didn’t have to turn a single page to find it.

Thanks Jan – I needed that!

And, Thanks Jeff for thinking of us during this time personal loss. Although it is a sad message to receive, Jan has touched us and we’re glad to tell her story.

Richard York
Wichita North High School Search Committee (1967)
Wichita, Kansas

Google | Yahoo || Google/Jan Porterfield | Jan Porterfield Guestbook

From: Jeff Friedman for Jan Porterfield [mailto:jporterfield@alaska.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 6:32 PM
To: York, Richard [KSC]
Subject: Jan Porterfield

I know you were on the planing committee for Jan's High School Reunion. I don't know if that has occurred yet, but if not I thought you might want to let people know that Jan died earlier this week. I have copied below an e-mail message I sent out to others on Thursday. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in the fall of 2000, and was in treatment for most of the last 6 1/2 years. During that time she always kept a positive outlook, and she was an inspiration to others with cancer as well as anyone who knew her.

I am sorry to tell you that Jan passed away peacefully this sunny Solstice morning at about 8:30 Anchorage time. I gave her some medicine at 8:00 and turned on the radio for her -- public radio of course -- and she was resting comfortably. She knew last night that the time was near, and she told the hospice nurse that she was glad. She was tired of fighting. I had woken early and was out of the room at the time, and I think Jan planned it that way. She was always thinking of others first. Jan was up in the living room last night listening to Sam read to her one last time.

I called as many people as I could before sending this out, and I am sorry that I could not reach everyone but it seems more difficult leaving a voice message on an answer phone than sending an e-mail. I will let people know more about a memorial service when we have something planned. One thing Jan was very clear about is that she would not want people sending flowers. She loved to paint them, but she would want a more lasting tribute in her memory. Please don't feel you have to do anything, but in lieiu of flowers, the organizations that meant the most to her over the years were: Women Listen, her cancer support group; KSKA public radio; Anchorage Association for the Education of Young Children. And at the end Hospice of Anchorage has been wonderful. I'll dig out addresses etc eventually.

Sam and I are doing okay. We have been getting ready for this date for 6 1/2 years and while we would prefer another 6 1/2, we are thankful for the time we did have with her.

Jan was a talented, loving person who brought joy and light wherever she went. She will be deeply missed.