Wendy Porterfield

Wendy Williams Porterfield died on February 27, 2022 at her home in Peekskill, NY at the age of 84 from complications of Parkinsonism.

She was born in White Plains, NY on December 20, 1937 to John and Gladys Williams. She was married to Dennis Porterfield and later divorced. She Lived with her partner, Milton Steinberg, for 32 years.

Wendy obtained a BA from Smith College (1958) and worked at J. Walter Thompson publishers. She was then Assistant to the Dean at Westchester Community College, then Assistant Dean at Pace University Law School. After retiring from Pace, she pursued her interest in the arts as a weaver and jeweler. She joined the Mamaroneck Artists' Guild ultimately becoming their director.

Wendy was born Presbyterian and became a member of the Ethical Culture Society in later years.

Wendy is survived by her partner, Milton Steinberg and his daughter Dara, her sons, Mark and Seth Porterfield and their wives Barbara Ruscillo Porterfield and Virginia Hutchinson, her sister, Diana Taylor and Diana’s husband, Ted Taylor. She was predeceased by her former husband, Dennis Porterfield, her father, John Williams and her mother Gladys S. Hanger.

Wendy was interred on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY at 2:00pm. This ceremony was for immediate family only. A celebration of Wendy’s life will be held at the Ethical Culture Center, 108 Pinesbridge Rd., Ossining, NY 10536. It will be available both in person and virtually. The date is to be determined.

In place of flowers, please make a donation to the Friends of Marshlands Inc. P.O. Box 37, Rye, NY 10580 or the Ethical Culture Center 108 Pinesbridge Rd., Ossining, NY 10536.

We are grateful to all the many relatives and friends who have provided support, particularly Diana Taylor, Dara Steinberg, Mark Porterfield and Barbara Ruscillo Porterfield.