Lucy Maury Van Doren Porter Porter May 05, 1925 – March 27, 2019 Share this obituary Send Sympathy Gifts Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Lucy Maury Van Doren Porter Oliver, 103 years young, departed this life on March 27, 2019. She was surrounded by her children at her home at Westminster Canterbury. Lucy’s life began and ended in the cherished neighborhood of Ginter Park, the place of countless childhood memories.
A native of Richmond, Lucy was born on May 25, 1915, to the late Mary Preston Ellzey Van Doren and Jacob Van Doren. She was predeceased by her first husband, Robert Gregory Porter, Jr.; her daughter, Nancy Maury Porter Allison Guyer Wood (Bill Wood of Pinehurst, N.C.), her second husband, Stuart Anderson Oliver; and her stepson, George Brown Oliver (Neal). Lucy is also predeceased by her sisters, Mary Murray Yancey and Frances Herndon James; and her brother, Jacob Maury Van Doren.
She is survived by her son, Robert Gregory Porter III (Becky) of Midlothian, Va. ; her daughter, Marsha Mason Porter Reynolds (CJ) of Candor, N.C.; and her daughter, Susan Ellzey Porter Agnew (Bob) of Arlington, Va. In addition, she is survived by 15 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friends at Westminster Canterbury.
Lucy spent a long and active life involved in the passions she held dear. She was born with a green thumb and loved to preserve the fruits of the garden to be enjoyed year round. She liked to cook for her family, collect antiques, decorate, entertain and travel.
She was a member of the Fork Church Episcopal in Hanover. One of the highlights of her life of service was her time as the Hanover Christmas Mother, a cause she supported throughout the years. Lucy worked in the secretarial field after graduation from business school and remained an ace typist up until her final days, still able to email and FB message her friends and family… especially her beloved grandchildren.
A proud descendant of early Virginia statesmen, George Mason IV and Matthew Fontaine Maury, she passed on her love of tradition and history to her own descendants. To Lucy, the art of the handwritten letter, was the epitome of thoughtfulness, a characteristic she valued and tried always to encourage in children. Most importantly, her role as mother and grandmother was her life’s special blessing and she loved each child in a unique way.
Her legacy will always be the lessons she modeled of strength and devotion to family. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of Westminster Canterbury Richmond on Monday, April 29, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. Interment will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond at 2:30 p.m. the same day.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the charity of your choice.
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