I hope that Auntie Beverly had a smooth and gentle journey on her way to reconnect with all of the ancestors. I spoke to her not a couple of weeks before. We chatted a lot on fb messenger. She kept me up to date on where her kids were all living and the grandkids and  great grandkids,  and some of their stories and how big they were all getting. 

We shared west coast versus east coast  weather information.  Yikes, Ontario!Updates on how she coping and how she was doing in the snow and then one day  her car woudn't start, she said she had  CAA on speed dial :)   I  was amazed that she had two grand pianos in the house and that's the reason she couldn't live in an apartment. She had one student when she moved to her place in Kingston, and still teaching at 94.  She truly was a force of nature!  I loved when she'd send me posts of her music and I could listen to her compositions. I sent her videos of little prodigies playing manificently which was a way to share our love of music. 

I recall the day she lost Freckles,  Feb. 12th in 2021 and how hearbreaking it was for her is to lose her dear companion.  She asked about Jordi and Augi all the time and I sent her photos of us out walking at the beach or in the forest.  She really loved animals, like I do.  

Then her loving kindness and our shared grief, when her brother - my father,  passed suddenly February 17, 2021. We could talk about all of these intimate details of our lives and it felt like she was right here with me with comforting words. 

She also had great recall of who was who, for the most part,  in old family photographs, These photos were a gateway to some shared knowledge and wonderful stories, that I am so, so, grateful for, and  have locked them  in my heart  forever. 

Miss you, Love you,  Auntie Beverly

To Janet and Family- I am so sorry for your deep loss.  Your mom was One of a Kind- with so much talent.  Of course, there is her music.  But she also taught me how to properly dress a salad!  Olive oil first!  :)

May you go gently at this difficult time.  

Much love to you all.

Martha Hill Duncan:

She was one of my first musical contacts in Kingston in 1988 when we moved here and also accompanied my women’s choir for several years. She was a musical and intellectual force with a keen eye for talented composers and great music, as well as a visionary with the founding of Red Leaf Pianoworks back in 2007. She was also a phenomenal piano teacher, inspiring many current working musicians from her studio. I’ll always be grateful for her encouragement, friendship and sense of humour. Her legacy of compositions will continue on - a recent order of many of her works from a Wisconsin teacher just came through Red Leaf this week.

Joanne Bender:

It is indeed sad news to hear that Bev Porter has passed. Bev was a very talented composer and teacher and a wonderful person. I appreciated her hospitality when I stayed with her in Kingston a few years ago. She received her training in composition from some outstanding teachers. Bev understood how to teach and write music for children. She was very close to her own children and grandchildren who had a deep respect for her.

Bev's sense of humour and love of nature are represented by her collections such as Just Clowning Around, Lady Bug and Friends and Into the Woods. The Canadian music scene has been enriched by Bev Porter.

Janet Gieck:

Thanks for letting us know. Very sad indeed! Bev bought my kids Jackie Lawson advent calendars for years too, which we always enjoyed. I too remember Bev's sense of humor, love of nature and wonderful compositions that students liked learning and I enjoyed teaching! She has made an impact on the Canadian music scene that will last.

Teresa Richert:

Very sad news. Bev was the first composer to contact me about joining Red Leaf many years ago. I was honored to be contacted by the famous composer of the Chromatic Rag. She will be fondly remembered.

Rebekah Maxner:

Bev had such a big heart. She would send Jackie Lawson Christmas advent calendars to my daughter, Clara, each year and we loved them and always thought of Bev while we were doing the activities.

I never got to meet her because the conferences never lined up — and it is a deep regret of mine. But my students have loved her music and she will live on through it.

Irene Voros:

I'm really glad that I was able to meet & spend time with Bev when she came to Richmond, BC with you, her daughter and Susan. She was so inspiring, and I love that she wore jeans in her 80s!

What a legacy she leaves behind.

John Burge:

This is very sad news about Bev. She once joined me as we drove together from Kingston to Mount Forest for a Summer Sizzle event. As anyone who has done an extended drive with her will know, it seems that she could talk forever on any subject. The trip certainly flew by. I ended up teaching lots of her students who came to Queen’s over the years.

Jen Smith Lanthier:

I am so very sorry to hear of Bev’s passing. I did not know her personally, but her compositions played such a positive role in my teaching studio- we especially loved the publication Into the Woods, with its rich characters, moods and images. Her work also impacted me as a composer, and I am so proud to be a part of her vision and legacy.

Ayumi Okada:

Truly sad news. Although I never had the chance to meet her either, I feel deeply honored to be part of the Red Leaf Pianoworks she envisioned. The beautiful tribute emails have given me a glimpse into her life and legacy. I hope to continue learning more about her through her work.

Susan Griesdale

Knowing Bev through the years was a blessing. She was always positive, supportive and encouraging. I admired her willingness to jump into any project and work as a team. And her music was performed a lot in my studio. My students loved her work as she knew how to spark their imagination. It will live on and inspire generations to come. I will miss her.

June Armstrong

It was through Beverly Porter that I got involved in Red Leaf Pianoworks. She contacted me because she like my style of composing, which in fact, was quite similar to her own. I was lucky to meet her in 2017 and again, a month or so ago, and kept in contact with her in between. She will be greatly missed by all the Red Leafers.