Marian W. Potter- Saratoga Springs
Marian passed away Thursday, December 6, while residing in Saratoga.
Born September 12, 1923, in Greenwich, NY, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Minnie (Wilson) Potter. She was predeceased by her sister Ruth Hall of Fort Edward and her brother, Ray of Highland Falls.
Marian graduated from Greenwich High School, Mildred Elley School, Russell Sage College (Evening Division), and received her MS in Education from SUNY Albany.
During her long work career in the Capital District, she was Secretary and Assistant to the Comptroller at WPTR radio station when it first went on the air in 1948; Office Manager and Buyer at Boardman Ltd; and Office Manager at Mayfair Inc. She began teaching Distributive (Marketing) Education at Lansingburgh High School in 1963, and was Chief Bureau of Marketing and Distributive Education, NYS Education Department at the time of her retirement in 1983.
From the time she began teaching at age 40, Marian felt she had to learn all she could about marketing education, so she became an active member of the related professional organizations. She became a life member of the American Vocational Association and Marketing Education Association, and a board member and officer of several ME groups.
After retiring Marian served as a consultant with the NYS Council on Economic Education, was a Past President and board member of LVA, Troy, and served on the boards of the Rensselaer County League of Women Voters and the Women’s Council of the Albany Institute of History and Art.
After moving to Prestwick Chase in Saratoga in 2003, she became a member of the Saratoga League, and volunteered at the book Bag at the Saratoga Springs Public Library. At Prestwick Chase she was editor for many years of “The Chase”, the monthly publication by and for the residents.
Marian was honored with the Ruth Colvin Award for Administrative Volunteer of the year (LVA national), Outstanding Service and Honorary Life Member of the Distributive Education Clubs of NY, Distributive Education Professional Development Award (national), and Marketing Division of AVA Distinguished Service Award.
She was an avid reader, especially of history and the Civil War. She traveled throughout the US, attending many Elderhostels. She was known for her love of cats and always had one as her companion.
Marian’s two nephews, Jon and Bruce, sons of the late Ernest and Ruth (Potter) Hall, often traveled and vacationed together as they were growing up.
Her nephew Jon predeceased Marian, but she is survived by his wife, Sharon of South Glens Falls. Other survivors include her nephews, Bruce (Ruth) Hall of Liverpool, NY, Charles Potter, SC and niece, Helen Potter, NC; and several great nieces, nephews and their children.
At her request the funeral service will be private. Internment will be in Greenwich Cemetery in Greenwich, NY.
Marian has requested that memorial donations be sent to Literacy Volunteers of America, 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to any local animal shelter, or Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue of Pines, Saratoga Springs, New York,12866.
Arrangements are under the direction of Carleton Funeral Home, Inc.,68 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY.
I joined the business dept. of Lansingburgh High School in Sept. of 1967. Marian took me under her watchful eye and mentored me through my rookie year. We kept in touch over the years with an occasional phone call and lunch. I last saw her in late August when I took her out to lunch. I last spoke with her over the phone in Oct. She was a strong, direct woman who achieved much during her lifetime. I shall miss her.
Lynn she spoke of you a few times. My aunt and I had many long conversations about earlier times. She shared many memories as we sat and ate chocolates.
The death of a loved one is the most devastating experience a family can face. At times, the pain of the loss will seem unbearable. Please know that there are friends who care about you and your family during this difficult time and more importantly Psalm 34:18 tells us that “God is near to those that are broken at heart. We pray that Jehovah the God of all comfort is with your family during this difficult time of grief. Questions will come up about why do we suffer and die? Please go to http://www.jw.org to get satisfying answers to these and other questions about life. Our prayers are with you and your family.
I met Marian through the League of Women Voters after she had already retired and moved to Saratoga Springs. She was vitally interested in politics and history and we had long discussions about events in the news and the books we were reading. We occasionally went out for lunch, and after she stopped driving, sometimes ran a few errands together. She maintained the LWVSaratoga scrapbook of news clippings until the last month of her life – for which I am very grateful. Actually, I am grateful to have known her – a feminist in action as well as in philosophy.
So nice to hear about your friendship with my aunt Marian. We had so much fun growing up with her. As children I have such happy memories we had with her. Thank you for sharing your story withus.
Marian was a member of the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County. She continued to contribute her time to the league while she lived in Saratoga. She would arrange for us to have some meetings at Prestwick Chase. She kept our scrap book current. She wrote thank you letters to our contributes. There were times we needed materials counted out and Marian would recruit friends from Prestwick Chase to help among other contributions to our league. She was an active intelligent women, and we were lucky to have her as a member. Our sympathy to her family and friends.