PORTER, NANCY LYON (9 June 1921-26 Sept. 1996), was a career volunteer and tireless advocate for children, families and the elderly. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, to George Hale and Winifred (Hart) Lyon, she was raised in Cleveland where Mr. Lyon headed a major automobile dealership. Porter earned her B.A. in sociology and psychology from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, in 1943.
From 1946-1960, Porter worked with the JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CLEVELAND, serving as trustee, vice president, and chairwoman. In 1947 she began her work with the FAMILY SERVICE ASSN. OF CLEVELAND as a case aide, then became a board member from 1956-1970, and first vice president and chairwoman of the casework committee. While serving as trustee of the Welfare Federation of Cleveland and second vice president of Youth Service, Porter helped found the CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES from a merger of five social service agencies in 1970. In 1980 she was voted life trustee of the Center, which changed its name to the CENTER FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN in 1993. Porter received its Families First Award in 1995. She was on the board of the BENJAMIN ROSE INSTITUTE from 1970-1985, serving as its president from 1977-1979. Porter was also involved with the FEDERATION FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING, UNITED WAY SERVICES, the Women's Committees of the CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART and the CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, the Cuyahoga County Welfare Dept. and Children's Services Dept., Hudson Boys School Advisory Board, the Juvenile Court Advisory Board, the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, the NEW ORGANIZATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, the International Council of the Museum of Modern Art, and FAIRMOUNT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In 1943, Porter married Frank Hammond Porter, who succeeded Mrs. Porter's father as president of Central Cadillac agency in 1966. The couple had five children: Frank H. Jr., George H. L., Frederick S., Elizabeth P. Daane, and Steven H. Mrs. Porter died at CLEVELAND CLINIC HOSPITAL and is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.
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