Amy der Porten

Amy M. Von der Porten of Gainesville, FL went to her final rest, Christmas morning, Dec 25, 2017. She is survived by her husband of almost 71 years, Arnold P. Von der Porten of Gainesville, sister Kathleen Tarney and husband Thom Tarney of Alberta CAN, brother Alan Barry of Ottawa CAN, son Richard A. Von der Porten and wife Linda S. Von der Porten of Burlington, KY., daughter Marguerite K. Orf and husband Timothy C. Orf of Winter Springs, FL, son Christopher P. Von der Porten of Dacula, GA. And daughter Arlene E. Von der Porten-Jacobs and husband Mark W. Jacobs of Valrico, FL., grandchildren: Misty and Brandon Steinebron, Tiffany & Eric Weider, Paul & Kyleen Von der Porten, David & Meagan Von der Porten, Stephen Orf, Virginia Von der Porten, Matthew Von der Porten, Jeffrey Jacobs, Mark Von der Porten and Jessica Jacobs, great-grandchildren: Jillian Brinko, Addison Steinebron, Kate Steinebron, Tyler Weider, Melanie Weider, Elliot Von der Porten and Mullana Von der Porten. Amy was well-known in the Gainesville community, having resided for over 23 years. She was a member of the New Comers Club, Founder of the Faith Presbyterian Church Library as well as an active member of the church. She moved to Gainesville from Old Bridge, NJ, where she had founded 14 libraries, including several school and the Old Bridge Public Library. For most of her career she was the Head Librarian at Rutgers Preparatory School in Somerset, NJ. She was the President of the New Jersey Private and Parochial School Library Board. She received a masters in Early Childhood Development from Trenton State University and a bachelors from Oxford University. Amy was born in Kingston, Jamaica, BWI, Oct 1, 1923, the daughter of the Administrative General, Herbert F. Barry and his wife Olga Eva Barry. She founded the botanical science library of Kingston shortly after WWII and created many of the botanical collections in Jamaica. She moved to the US in 1952 and became a naturalized US Citizen in 1964. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home. A visitation will be held Friday, December 29, 2017 at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainesville, Florida, from 5 PM to 7 PM. Services will be held Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Faith Presbyterian Church, 5916 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville, Florida, and will begin at 11 AM, followed by a reception.