Joan Porter, formerly of Vineyard Haven and a resident of Windemere for the past two years, died on Good Friday, April 18, with her loving daughter by her side, following complications from a recent stroke. She was 80.

A Boston native, Joan was proud of her Irish heritage and was a font of old Irish sayings. She lived and worked in Boston most of her life and moved to the Vineyard 20 years ago to be near her family. For many years Joan worked at WHDH TV where she developed many friends. She would later recount stories of the celebrities she met while working there.

On the Vineyard Joan worked for the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust and was active in the community, including serving for many years as president of the Tisbury senior center and treasurer of Hillside Village. At Windemere she initiated an annual staff and volunteer talent show that she was able to attend recently.

Joan was a voracious reader and a proud and spirited woman who enjoyed the company of many friends, her fellow Windemere residents and especially her family. She had a particular fondness of the many and wonderful caregivers, staff and volunteers at Windemere and the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

She was predeceased by her parents Bernard Michael and Marie Josephine O’Donnell and her brother Michael. She is survived by her daughter Bernadette M. LaPorte and husband Raymond of Vineyard Haven; her grandson Christopher and Ami Arms; and her beloved great-grandson Caleb of Harwich. She is also survived by her sisters Rita Himmelman of Hansen, Dorothy Conlin of Norwood and Frances O’Donnell of Somerville.

Following Joan’s wishes, there will be no planned funeral service and she would encourage expressions of support to be sent to Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation, P.O. Box 1747, Oak Bluffs MA 02557.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.