Jane Porter

Jane Rose Porter of Sarnia passed away on Friday November 21, 2025 at Twin Lakes Terrace. Born at home with the help of the neighbourhood midwife in Senglea, Malta on November 7th, 1926, the third of 10 children to Carmela (Sant’Angelo) & John Farrugia. Jane joins her husband George Stephen Porter who died on May 4th 2010. Her daughters, the “Porter Girls”, Mabel (Frank Higgins), Brenda (David Bandy), Judy (Ron Crawford) remained with her throughout her final days.

Jane had just celebrated a quiet 99th Birthday on November 7th, with enthusiasm, something she looked forward to with her local family. Her own mother lived into her 107th year.

Known as Nana to her grandchildren, Emily (Paul Blunt), Eric (Bonnie Newman), Darcy; Nathan (Meredith Danzig), Kyle (Sarah Doylend) and Great-Grandchildren, Keenan, Christopher & Jessica; Stuart & Simon; and Nicolas, are grateful for her love, generosity and presence in their lives.

She is affectionately remembered by her sister, Evelyn Busittil, brother, Edward (Josie) Farrugia and many cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews in Canada, US, Britain, Malta and Australia.

She is predeceased by her seven siblings (Albert, Jessie, Steve, Peggy, Maria, Frank & Sid), brothers-and-sisters-in-law, and her son-in-law, Paul Fortney.

As a young woman, Jane endured the Axis attack on Malta during WWII, moving with her family to the countryside as their beloved Senglea, their home, parish church and her father’s menswear shop were destroyed.

In May of 1948, Jane and George were married. Shortly thereafter George emigrated to Canada, Jane followed later that year, the first of her family to come to Canada. They began their life together in London, Ontario, making their home at 132 Dufferin Ave., which eventually became the popular Latin Quarter Restaurant. Their first daughter, Mabel, was born the following year. It was here that Jane made many friends. She often spoke of the friends who supported them throughout their first year in Canada. They soon purchased a home on Hale Street, where their second daughter, Brenda was born in 1953.

George, who worked with the Canadian National Railway, was eventually transferred to Sarnia. They joined St. Joseph’s Parish, where all their children were schooled. By 1960 they welcomed their last daughter, Judy, who brought joy to this family of five.

Jane… wife and mother of three was a stay-at-home mom. She was a talented knitter. Her family continues to wrap themselves in her warm sweaters. Her seamstress skills soon took her out into the community. Besides making clothes for all her girls, she worked as a seamstress at a downtown menswear shop. This talent brought many requests for clothing alterations from friends and neighbours. Beyond that, she became a popular school crossing guard, remembered to this day by the children she befriended.

Elections Canada soon caught her attention and there was never an election that she didn’t participate in. Jane remained dedicated to her church through involvement with St. Joseph’s Catholic Women’s League, earning her Fifty Year Pin, working as treasurer, and organizing church bazaars. She was a self-made woman.

Resting at the D. J. Robb Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (102 N. Victoria St. Sarnia, ON) where services will be held on Wednesday November 26, 2025 at 11:30 am with a Private Family Interment at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery to follow. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time. 

The funeral service will be live streamed at https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=b102a335-2d37-46d9-bb84-bd8351f0bca5 for those unable to attend.

Jane’s family recognizes that it took a village to bring our mother to her deserved resting place. We acknowledge the kindness of family, friends, neighbours and the many health professionals who crossed her path, most recently the staff at Twin Lakes Terrace, who loved and cared for her.

The family invites you to celebrate Jane’s life through donations to:

*St. Joseph’s Church CWL ℅1011 Oak Ave., Sarnia, ON N7S 1J4 or: sarniacatholic.ca/giving

*St John Ambulance Dog Therapy Program : canadahelps.org/en/dn/13091 select option Therapy Dog Program

*A CHARITY of YOUR CHOICE