Shirley Guiberteau Porche

Shirley Guiberteau Porche, age 93, passed away peacefully at home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 4, 2024. Born in Jeanerette, Louisiana, on September 1, 1930, Shirley was the youngest of eight children born to Adolph and Celia (Bouy) Guiberteau.

After finishing high school and business school, Shirley married the love of her life, Harold Porche, in El Paso, Texas, where Harold was stationed at Fort Bliss with the Army. Following Harold's honorable discharge, the couple moved several times, including to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana, before settling in the Port Neches, Texas, area to raise their family.

When her children were in school, Shirley entered the workforce, initially doing transaction processing for a local bank in Beaumont, Texas. After moving to Houston, she worked as the business manager for Lil’ Jewels Daycare.

Shirley was a woman of many talents and interests. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and crafting, with one of her notable projects being crocheting Santa hats for her grandson’s staff a few years ago. Shirley was also known for her authentic Creole cooking, especially her gumbo and other Deep South dishes, which will be greatly missed.

Shirley was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her Catholic faith was important to her, and she leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories for all who knew her.

She is survived by her children: Celia (Larry) Andrus and Mark (Carmen) Porche; her grandchildren: Christopher (Shannon), Bradley, and Joshua Andrus, and Rachel (Ryan) May; her great-grandchildren: August, Jude, Jack, and Frankie; as well as many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in 2000, and her seven siblings.

A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel with Fr. Joachim Lally, CSP, presiding. The family will welcome guests starting at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Shirley may be made to Autism Support of Kent County.