Kathleen D Porter

Kathleen (Kathy) Diane Porter quietly passed away surrounded by family on June 16, 2023. She was 84. She was born December 19, 1938 to parents Claude and Edith Mix in Salem, Oregon where she lived most of her life.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Wayne in December 2016. They were married 58 ½ years. They had met in the 8th grade while students at Parrish Junior High School in Salem. They became sweethearts at North Salem High School where they graduated in 1957. They were married May 10, 1958.

During the early 1960s Kathy and Wayne lived on a horse farm out by Turner, Oregon. They had show horses which Wayne rode at horse shows. In the mid to late 1960s they lived on an animal farm near Marion, Oregon. They raised cows, sheep and pigs.

Kathy started working at State Farm when the Northwest Regional office opened in Salem in 1957. She was one of the original employees and worked there for over 30 plus years. There was about a 5 year period when Kathy left to work at the ceramic shop that she and Wayne had started – Somerset Ceramics. It started in their Salem home and eventually moved to a place just outside of Salem. Kathy taught ceramic classes there. Somerset Ceramics was in business from about the late 1970s to about early-mid 1980s. When Kathy and Wayne closed the shop she returned to State Farm.

During the 1990s Kathy retired from State Farm, and Wayne retired from timber cutting. On the side Wayne had been an avid beekeeper who enjoyed making honey from his bees. After retirement Wayne continued beekeeping and making honey. Kathy and Wayne started their honey business – Flying Bee Ranch. They did a lot of selling on eBay. Their business grew by leaps and bounds and is still thriving to this day. It has been taken over by a great-nephew of Wayne’s.

In her spare time Kathy enjoyed doing various crafts here and there during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. She did sewing, embroidery/needle point, latch hooking, ceramics, etc.

In addition to her husband Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Edith Mix, and her brother David Mix. She is survived by daughter Tammy.

Per Kathy’s request there will not be a memorial service.