Mary Louise Potter's Obituary
Racine – Mary Louise Potter, 70, passed away on July 14, 2015 at Kenosha Estates Nursing Home.
Mary was born in South Milwaukee to Dean and Geraldine (nee: Fitzgerald) Potter on June 18, 1945. She graduated from South Milwaukee High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Dominican College. She continued her education at National Louis University earning her master’s degree all in education.
Mary had a 35 year career in teaching in the Racine Unified School District. She retired in 1995. One of the highlights of her career was becoming Middle School Teacher of the Year in 1988. She also taught at McPherson Education Classes for teacher’s continuing education credits for several years. After her retirement, Mary volunteered time with first graders at Gifford Elementary School. After her retirement, Mary was an independent traveler. She had taken several bus trips around the United States. She also traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and even Russia during the revolution.
Mary was a faithful member of Evangelical United Methodist Church. She enjoyed crafting, sewing and knitting. She was a lover of cats. As an avid collector, some of her major collections were clocks, watches, dolls, and stuffed animals. Mary even built her own grandfather clock from a kit. Most importantly, Mary loved, loved, loved her family; especially her nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Every year she would use her crafting skills and paint ceramics to give to each of the kids.
Mary will be dearly missed by her brothers and sisters, Jim (Sharon), Bill (Kathie), Margaret (Wally) Garbisch, Kathi (Tom) Chvilicek and Matt (Sherry); nieces and nephews, Jayne, Carole, Mike, Matt, Godmother to Allison, Erin, Godmother to Dean, Trevor, Brianna and Chandra; 24 great nieces and great nephews; one great great-niece; one great great-nephew; cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Geraldine; and two close, special friends, Laura and Gail.
Funeral services in honor of Mary will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Monday afternoon on July 20, 2015 at 5:00 PM with Jon Fleming officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 3:00 PM until the time of service. Committal service and interment will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Oak Creek, WI on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Please meet at the main entrance, 3301 E. Forrest Hill Avenue, Oak Creek, WI 53154, at 11:00 AM to proceed to the graveside. Condolences may be made at www.wilsonfuneralhomeracine.com
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