Jane Porter Ryder, 93, died Sunday evening, July 21 at Moorings Park in Naples, FL. Previously a resident of Marion, Attleboro MA and Naples, she was the wife of the late Frank J. Ryder, Jr., jewelry manufacturer and real estate developer.
Celebrations of her well-lived and loved life will be held at the Bower Chapel Moorings Park on August 13th at 11 AM and at St. Gabriel’s Church Marion, MA later in the fall.
A descendent of original Mayflower settlers, Jane was born in Boston and grew up in Campello (Brockton) and Monument Beach, MA. The second of four daughters born to Alice Hastings Porter and Clinton Jackson Porter, she is survived by her sister, Suzanne Porter Wilkins of Williamstown, MA. Three children also survive her– Suzanne R. Herriman, Frank J. Ryder III, and Tyler R. Ryder– as well as eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Beloved sisters Louise P. Bahnson and Mary P. Buddington predeceased her in 2001 and 2003.
A graduate of Edgewood Park School, Briarcliff Manor, NY and Erskine Junior College in MA, she worked as an interior designer in Boston in the early 1940’s prior to the start of World War II when she aided the war effort by becoming a reservationist for American Airlines. She was later an independent representative for Tropitone Furniture for more than 30 years.
Jane married Frank Jenkins Ryder, Jr. of Attleboro, MA. in 1943 and dedicated her whimsical 2005 auto biography to him. They were married for 57 years, and she credited him with giving her—“the happiest most meaningful life I could have ever imagined.”
Jane discovered oil painting at age 50 and became passionate about creating impressionist art; modeling and experimenting to get the perfect effect of color and light in her work. She took art classes and workshops in Florida and Maine later displaying and selling paintings at art fairs. One of her last projects–a mural of “Marion Life” completed in 2007 captures turn-of-the-century muralist traditions and celebrates the town she lived in and loved.
A crack bridge player into her late 80’s, golfer, tennis player, prolific gardener, and talented flower arranger, Jane was an extraordinary and generous mother, great grandmother and friend. Jane loved her family, her many devoted friends and all she met believing, “kindness and thoughtfulness foster happiness, and satisfaction.”
At her request, her body has been donated to medical science research.
Memorial donations may be considered to St. Gabriel’s Church Marion, MA or to a charity of one’s choice.