Patricia Ann Hand Eldridge Porter

Nov 18, 1931 -

June 4, 2020

Patricia Porter passed away peacefully from recurring cancer on June 4, 2020, with family by her side.

Pat was born in San Jose, Calif., to Howard Hilton Hand and Anna Theodora Petrocek. Her family lived there until 1946, when her father transferred to Alaska to work as an airline mechanic. Pat finished high school in San Jose, but came to Alaska in the summers and spent most of her time at Big Lake. She met her first husband Ralph Eldridge shortly after, and they were married in 1953. They moved to Oregon for a time for Ralph to finish up his degree in Corvallis, then moved back to Anchorage and bought a business that Pat ran for the last 60 years.

In 1980, Pat married her second husband Douglas Porter. They were together until 2002, when Doug passed away from cancer.

Pat had five children, and they remember a life filled with lots of people, animals and adventures. They recall life at their home sometimes felt like living on a farm, as they had pets ranging from cats, dogs, guinea pigs, birds and fish to ponies, horses, chickens, turkeys and a duck.

She was always willing to help anyone and had an open-door policy at her home. She enjoyed entertaining, cooking, gardening and conversation in general. All who knew her felt she was a generous and kind-hearted soul.

Pat was a longtime member of the Pioneers of Alaska, American Legion Post 28, the AMHA, Lions Club, Womens Auxiliary, Breast Cancer Survivors, and a supporter of Wounded Warriors, the USO and SPCA.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Robert Eldridge; her sister, Dorothy Hickish; and her husband, Douglas Porter.

Survivors include her children, Tina Eldridge of Anchorage, John Eldridge (Cathleen) of Palmer, Merry Blair (Edwin) of Anchorage and Jane Eldridge (Brian Pickard) of Anchorage; 11 grandchildren; and various cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a graveside burial of her ashes on June 25, 2020, at 3 p.m., at the Angelus Memorial Park Cemetery. A reception to follow at a time to be announced.

Pat's children want to sincerely thank all the people who cared for her at the Anchorage Pioneer Home these past three -plus years. They would also like to thank Providence Hospice for supporting her through her latest challenges.