Juanita L. “Toots” Porter

Toots graduated with honors from Chautauqua Central School in 1955. After earning her RN degree, she proudly served as a nurse in the United States Navy for two years. Intrinsically identifying as a nurse for all her years, Toots worked in the ICU unit before retiring from cardiology at WCA Hospital.

Following retirement, Toots and her husband, Stub, enjoyed traveling extensively, shopping for their beloved antiques, and spending more time at the Viking Lake Park. Toots loved playing the piano and hosting sing-along parties, which often included making glogg!

A passionate leader and advocate for Scandinavian heritage, Toots held numerous positions within the Ingjald Lodge #65 and Diana Lodge. She served as Chief of the Diana Lodge for three years, and became the first female Chief of Ingjald Lodge #65. She subsequently served two additional terms and spent 19 years on the Viking Grand Council, where she formed lasting friendships with members from across the country. In 2002, she was honored nationally as Viking of the Year for the Independent Order of the Vikings.

Toots was also an active member of the Scandinavian Studies Program at Jamestown Community College. In 2011, she was honored by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia, who presented her with an award recognizing her dedicated efforts to perpetuate Swedish heritage and culture.

For many years, Toots volunteered at American Red Cross blood drives and provided blood pressure screenings in the community for the American Heart Association. She was also instrumental in establishing a Cystic Fibrosis support group in Jamestown.

The jovial and loving spirit Toots shared with everyone will be deeply missed by her daughters, Sandra (Van) Ecklund, Jody Caldwell, Jodi (Rich) Swindell, and Michelle Tambascio; her grandchildren, Kristen (Mike) Burnham, Zachary (Kim) Caldwell, Lauren (Josh) Peters, Shelby Swindell, Colin Swindell, Alex Tambascio, and Olivia Tambascio; her eight great-grandchildren; her two great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Lynda Sprigg.

In addition to her parents, Toots was preceded in death by her daughter Lisa, her sister, Margaret, and her beloved husband, Milford E. “Stub” Porter, whom she married on July 15, 1971, and who passed away just one month earlier on Dec. 14, 2025.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Lind Funeral Home. A private family burial will be held in Wild Rose Cemetery. A Celebration of Life honoring both Toots and Stub will be announced by the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Toots’ name may be made to the local Viking Scholarship, c/o Ingjald Lodge, 214 N. Main St., Jamestown, NY 14701.

To leave words of condolence, please visit lindfuneralhome.com.