Carol Reid Porter, of Melrose, MA passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of July 11, 2026. Born in Roslindale, MA in 1943 to the late Bernard and Catherine Reid, Carol moved Melrose in 1971 with her husband William Porter.

In addition to her husband of 55 years, Carol is survived by her sister Bernadette Reid of Roslindale, her two children Elizabeth Porter Lumley of Folkestone, Kent, UK, William Porter of Shrewsbury, MA, her three grandchildren, Bernard Lumley, William Porter Jr, and Kaylee Porter, and her son-in-law William Lumley and daughter-in-law Amy Neff Porter.

Carol was a 1961 graduate of Roslindale High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She also served as assistant head of operations at Boston Trust & Guarantee Bank until 1972.

Carol was a long-time employee of the former Melrose Drug Center in Melrose Square and later served a bookkeeper of the Fitch Home in Melrose.

Carol spent many years in service to the community of Melrose. She was a regular volunteer at Incarnation Parish, where she served as a lector and taught CCD classes. She spent many happy years as member of Kappa charities running the much-missed Kappa Swap Shop. Carol also supported her daughter as a Band Aider at the Melrose High School marching band and regularly cheered on her son as captained Melrose High School’s Cross Country, Winter and Spring track and field teams. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose, on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 8:30AM-10:30AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church at 11:00AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Interment to follow at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose.

To sign online condolence, visit www.gatelyfh.com