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With great sorrow and gratitude we acknowledge the passing of Lezlie Noel Porter. Born 1947 to Jeanette and H. Chad Turner, in Los Angeles, California, Lezlie attended college in Greece and denmark, graduating from whittier college.

Our wife and mother leaves a legacy of caring, commitment and courage. She lived passionately in service of god, family and community. Devoted to her church and her savior Jesus christ, she was a mother, confidant and active in support of her own family, as well as in support of parents and children of her church and community. She has served in consequential roles, including chair of the National Association of Child Development, president of the Nevada American Mothers, Boy Scout merit badge counselor, Cub Scout den mother and AYSO soccer coach, in addition to making numerous other personal contributions of time, talent, resources and love for children and families. She was chosen as national young mother of the year in 1984.

Lezlie at work conducting a board meeting

Lezlie actively taught religion classes to children, youth and adults throughout her life. She demonstrated her love for and commitment to education for family and community as a trustee for the washoe county school district and president of the board in her fourth term. She lobbied for the cause of education locally and statewide, with a firm commitment to the education and achievement of our community’s youth. She truly believed in the idea of improving one’s circumstances through accessible and quality education for all.

Traveling to foreign places, experiencing other cultures and meeting and learning from people the world over has been a highlight in Lezlie’s life. Her passport is evidence of this passion. Lezlie acted on every opportunity to both visit new places and share these experiences with her children and husband.

An actress in college, theater and the arts remained important to Lezlie. She acted in local theater and was a significant proponent of the arts in reno and sparks. Believing in the power and beauty of music to enhance the human experience, Lezlie was a 14-year member of washoe county concert association (now reno concerts), and its president for 8 years. Lezlie worked tirelessly to bring the music and musicians of the world to her community.

Since her diagnosis with cancer in 1999, despite the several stresses, discomforts and indignities of therapies of all kinds, Lezlie maintained the same deep level of caring, commitment and courage. Without complaint, she heroically moved forward each day through trying years in her usual exemplary fashion. She aptly managed home and family while actively attending and participating in her church, Reno Concerts and the school board. Notwithstanding her active schedule, Lezlie was a loving and genuine friend to many.

Lezlie is the wife of Dr. Clyde Porter, mother of Jason (41) of Mccall, Idaho, Jared (35) of Brooklyn, New York, laney (32) of Sparks, Nevada, Justin (deceased), brett (24) of Carson City, Nevada, carley (14) of Sparks, Nevada, 3 wonderful daughters-in-law and 11 grandchildren. Her family is her greatest pride, joy, and accomplishment and her children are truly devoted to and appreciative of their dignified and hard-working mother. She was a profound example to them of all that can be good in human endeavor.

Her example to all is one of true caring for the important and essential things of life: god, family and freedom. She always gave the best of herself. Her family and friends mourn her loss, recognizing that she has given more than a lifetime’s measure of worthy effort and outcome. We have no doubt that in meeting her savior, his words to Lezlie will be, “well done, thou good and faithful servant” (matthew 25:21).

Share your Memories

Please share your memories of and experiences with Lezlie.
We invite you to view and sign a guestbook in her honor at
www.legacy.com/rgj/obituaries.asp
(Reno Gazette Journal - obituaries – guestbook)
and/or send personal messages and remembrances to rememberinglezlie@yahoo.com
• • •
Lezlie maintained a strong faith in Jesus christ
visit www.mormon.org to learn more.
• • •
Lezlie asks that any gift in her honor be a donation to or membership
with Reno Concerts.
visit www.renoconcerts.org

Washoe school trustee Lezlie Porter succumbs to cancer

Steve Timko • stimko@rgj.com • July 23, 2008

Services for Washoe County school trustee Lezlie Porter will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Rock and McCarran boulevards in Sparks.

Porter died early Tuesday after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 60 years old.

"Lezlie is the perfect example, I think, of someone who is very passionate about education and who truly wanted to do what was best for the students, and she will be sorely missed," schools Superintendent Paul Dugan said. "She battled this disease with a never-ending optimism that was remarkable and was living with it for over nine years, and yet, until the very end, you wouldn't have known it."

Dugan said she was a strong proponent of career technical education and her involvement in it means more students are involved in those studies, Dugan said.

"Her attendance even during her illness was practically flawless, and she really wanted the best for every child," school trustee Jody Ruggiero said. "She was really interested in making them as successful as they could all be."

What started as breast cancer spread, but Porter never complained, Ruggiero said.

"She was always sorry because she didn't have more energy," Ruggiero said.

Porter fulfilled a goal when she became school board president, Ruggiero said. Porter was on the board 13 years, losing a bid for re-election in 1994 but winning another seat in 1998.

Porter was president of the Washoe County Concert Association and a Sparks Republican Women board member.

School board President Barbara Price said the board is saddened by her loss and that Porter brought her passion for arts and humanities to the board.

"On a personal note, I will always appreciate and remember Lezlie's dignity as she represented the board and the district," Price said.

Porter maintained her sense of humor during her illness, Price said.

Porter was born in Los Angeles and had a bachelor's degree in psychology from Whittier College.

She and husband Clyde Porter were married 37 years and had six children.

School board member Porter remembered for dignity and helping education

By Steve Timko • stimko@rgj.com • July 22, 2008

Funeral services for Washoe County School District board trustee Lezlie Porter are scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at the LDS Church at Rock and McCarran boulevards in Sparks.

Porter died early Tuesday following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 60 years old.

“Lezlie is the perfect example I think of someone who is very passionate about education and who truly wanted to do what was best for the students and she will be sorely missed,” said school district superintendent Paul Dugan. “She battled this disease with a never-ending optimism that was remarkable and was living with it for over nine years, and yet until the very end you wouldn’t have known it.”

Dugan said she was a strong proponent of career technical education and her involvement in it means more students are involved in technical education, Dugan said.

“Her attendance even during her illness was practically flawless and she really wanted the best for every child, whether they were non-English speakers or Harvard-bound,” said fellow school board member Jody Ruggiero. “She was really interested in making them as successful as they could all be.”

What started as breast cancer spread, but Porter never had any complaints, Ruggiero said.

“She was always sorry because she didn’t have more energy,” Ruggiero said.

Porter fulfilled a goal when she served as board president, Ruggiero said.

Porter had 13 years on the school board, losing a bid for re-election in 1994 but capturing another seat in 1998.

Born in Los Angeles, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Whittier College. She was married to Clyde Porter for 37 years and they had six children.

Community involvement included being resident of the Washoe County Concert Association and being a board member of the Sparks Republican Women.

School board President Barbara Price said the board is saddened by her loss and that Porter brought her passion for arts and humanities to the board.

“On a personal note, I will always appreciate and remember Lezlie’s dignity as she represented the board and the district,” Price said.

Porter maintained her sense of humor and never complained, Price said.

Sparks mayor remembers school trustee

David Jacobs • July 22, 2008

Sparks Mayor Geno Martini issued a statement Tuesday on the passing of Washoe County School Board Trustee Lezlie Porter.
"Trustee Lezlie Porter was one of the most passionate supporters of education I knew," Martini said.

"Lezlie lived in Sparks, was active in her community, and provided the necessary leadership in strengthening and improving our education system.

"Thanks in part to Lezlie, our children are well served in their education, and better prepared for their future. On behalf of the entire city of Sparks, our thoughts and prayers are with her family today."

President, Washoe County School Board

A long-time Sparks resident, Lezlie has been involved in Washoe County Schools for the last 28 years starting with PTA and moving on to co-chairing the District’s GT (Gifted and Talented) Advisory Committee and currently serves at the president of the Board of Trustees. Completing her 12th year on the school board, she has enjoyed the challenges that have come with the growth and change in our community. She is the mother of six children, four of whom graduated from Reed High School. Her youngest is a student at Mendive Middle School. She also has a grandson attending McQueen High School.

Lezlie has served on a variety of District committees including financial advisory, attendance, safe and drug free, and diversity. She was instrumental in creating the parent complaint form in response to parent concerns that problem resolution was a confusing and difficult process. “As a parent, I know how difficult it is at times to figure out the district bureaucracy. Parents are key partners in a student’s education and we need to help them by simplifying processes wherever possible.”

Lezlie with North Valley High graduate Katie Mueller

A strong advocate for options for students, Lezlie does not believe in a one- size –fits- all educational plans. She has long supported vocational classes and has worked for a technical high school. She is excited that one is in the planning stage. “I support post-secondary education for all students, but that doesn’t mean everyone has to go to college to be successful. We need to help students discover their talents, interests, and passions and direct them to those career paths that will amplify their gifts.”

Lezlie served on the state standards committees for math and the fine arts. She believes the arts enhance a strong academic foundation. She serves as president of the local Washoe County Concert Association and enjoys bringing professional musicians into the schools.

Long involved in Boy Scouts as a den mother, committee chairman, etc.; she has been a merit badge counselor for 15 years. “Working with young people is fun.”

Lezlie with outgoing president Dan Carne and Superintendent Paul Dugan

Looking forward, she believes our biggest challenge is dealing with the demands of the “No Child Left Behind” mandate without losing sight of our purpose to provide a rich and varied education to our children. Reading is critical – we won’t be done until every child is reading at grade level. There is nothing more important. Fortunately, we have more and more tools and resources to help students – but they still need the support of parents and the community. Our changing demographics, increases in English language learners, and growing special needs student populations strain existing resources. We have to focus on what works. This year we have implemented new technologies and programs that will help us better identify where kids are and what they need to learn. It is an exciting time in education. Teachers and principals are able to look at student data to focus efforts and resources where they will do the most good. Computer programs are valuable tools for remediation and credit recovery as well as enhancing regular classroom instruction. It is a great time to be in school. “I look forward to being a part of building our World Class School District.”

“Accessibility has been a hallmark of my tenure. I enjoy talking to parents, teachers and anyone else who calls and try to help them in anyway I can. It’s the personal contact that is the most rewarding part of board service.”

See where Lezlie stands on current schoolboard issues