Anna Louise Porter

Anna was the oldest of four daughters referred to as “hell on wheels”, born on July 8, 1949 in sunny San Bernardino, California to Douglas Charles Cox and Joyce Patricia Englert (Davis).

At the age of fifteen she moved with her mother and sisters to Sparta, Ohio. It was here she gave birth to her first son, Douglas Charles “Doug” Robertson.

A few years later after a night of go-go dancing at the Starlight nightclub in Mount Vernon, Ohio, she walked to a booth and caught the eye of a handsome young cowboy named Gary Porter. He asked to join her, and thus began a love story over half a century in the making. Through thick and thin, sickness and in health, they never left each other’s side.

In 1969, the pair left Ohio on a rodeo tour that would lead them to Colorado Springs. Here, they would find work at the Broadmoor Stables under Howard Robinson where Anna ran the dude line. Later she worked at the Four Seasons hotel, followed by a stint at the Denver Post, and eventually the Gazette Telegraph where she retired after over 20 years of service. Wherever Anna went she loved and was loved in return.

Anna cared deeply for all living creatures. Dad often shares how she would stop her car and get out to move snakes off the road. She loved a number of cats, dogs, and horses over a span of decades, but her precious kitty Gizmo held a special place in her heart.

Over the years Anna enjoyed spending time in her fifth wheel as the couple traveled throughout the country. But in 2018, her golden years were cut short as she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing various treatments and believing she was cancer-free, three and a half years later it was discovered the treatments resulted in a new and more aggressive cancer.

Anna fought for this life for as long and as hard as she could. She endured suffering no one should ever have to face, and did so with a grace and a toughness few on this good earth could muster. She loved fiercely. She was strong and brave and beautiful, and even in tremendous pain she put everyone before herself.

Anna is survived by Gary, her loving husband of over fifty-six years, her children Travis (Gretchen) and Tyler (Bailey), grandson Matthew Muller, granddaughter Arlo Porter, siblings Brenda (Gary) Schnatz and Janice Rosenberg, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her son Doug, her sister Diane Guerrero, and brother-in-law Barry Rosenberg.

A Committal Service will take place at 1:00PM on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80925.

In lieu of flowers, honor our extraordinary mom by living your life with purpose. Support our veterans, be good to God’s creatures, and love thy neighbor. Live for her, love unconditionally and leave this world a better place.