Nancy J. Porta of West Falmouth died on June 1. She was 79. The cause was complications from dementia. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, David W. Porta.

Nancy was born in Newton to Clarence and Marjorie (Graves) Smith and graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston with a degree in psychology. In her early years she split time between Riviera Beach, Fla. and Oak Bluffs, where her father owned an apothecary on Circuit Avenue over which the family lived. It was in Oak Bluffs that she met her husband, David.

More recently, Nancy could be seen walking Spike, her beloved Tibetan terrier, all over West Falmouth in the summer months, and Palm Beach Shores, Fla. in the winter. She loved taking long beach walks and collecting sea glass and shells. An accomplished painter, she honed her skills through travels in the American southwest and Europe. One of her favorite locations to paint was Beals, Me. where she maintained a home in the years prior to and after her husband’s death.

Nancy is survived by daughters Cheryl Cappellini of West Falmouth and Melissa Courtemanche of Greenville, R.I., son Mark Porta of Plymouth, and eight grandchildren.

Donations can be made to the Falmouth Artists Guild, 137 Gifford Street, Falmouth, MA 02540 (online at www.falmouthart.org). Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for an on-line guestbook.