Mary Ann Porter

Mary Ann(Manny) Ballantyne Porter Manny passed peacefully on the evening of Saturday August 19th at The Evergreens in Moorestown NJ. She was born August 10, 1926 in Philadelphia. The only child of Richard and Helen (Isenberg) Ballantyne. They resided primarily in Moorestown NJ. The depression of 1937 necessitated a 4 year relocation to Myerstown PA to live with her relatives, the Bahneys. She graduated from Moorestown High School with honors, also excelling in field hockey and basketball. More importantly in their sophomore year she began dating her future husband, Reid H. Porter. Following high school she attended the family legacy school of Ursinus College in Collegeville PA, with Reid in tow. She was a key member of the Ursinus field hockey team and graduated in 1948 with a degree in Physical Education and Health Sciences. Manny and Reid were married following graduation from Ursinus. While Reid began dental school at the University of Pennsylvania, Manny took a teaching job at Palmyra High School. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she coached field hockey, basketball and softball. Her teams were very successful. In recognition of her contributions, Manny was inducted into the Palmyra High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1952 she tried out for and was selected to the US National field hockey team and traveled to Great Britian to represent the USA. Leaving her teaching position at Palmyra, Manny concentrated on golf. As a golfer, she recorded seven hole in ones and won the club championship at three different courses in New Jersey, Florida and Maine. She returned to teach and coach at Moorestown High School. Her teams again achieved much success. After retiring from teaching, she continued to referee both field hockey and basketball. She was an avid Bridge player, bringing her same competitive spirit to the card table. Manny was very active in the Moorestown Presbyterian Church. She served both as a deacon and trustee. After leaving New Jersey, Manny and Reid divided their time between Florida and Maine. A few years after the loss her soulmate Reid (his passing predating her by exactly 13 years), Manny returned to New Jersey to reside at The Evergreens, where she enjoyed the companionship of the other residents and staff. Of all her accomplishments, she was most proud of her two sons and their families. She is survived by: Steven R. Porter and his wife Georgene of Oro Valley, AZ; Bradford J. Porter his wife Jennifer of Audubon, NJ and his ex-wife Ellen Richey-Porter of Haddonfield, NJ and their children Sarah(Nathan) Schuur of Washington DC, Matthew(Rebecca) Porter of Chicago IL, Patrick Porter of Washington. DC and step son Matthew(Jessica) Richter of Haddon Township NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown. 101 Bridgeboro Rd. Moorestown, NJ 08057. Service arrangements have not been finalized. If you would like to be notified of the Service please forward your email address to bjp1port@aol.com, be sure to include Mary Ann Porter in the Subject line.

Mary Ann Porter

August 19, 2023