QUEENSBURY – Norma Ann (Hart) Potvin, 86, formerly of Hudson Falls, passed away peacefully at home on Friday February 5, 2021 surrounded by her adoring family.
Norma was born in Hudson Falls on December 10, 1934 to Joseph and Eunice (Granger) Hart. Although Norma was an only child, she grew up surrounded by dozens of first cousins who were more like siblings to her. She began her education at St. Mary’s grade school in Hudson Falls and later graduated from St. Mary’s Academy, class of 1951. She was active in many clubs during high school and was voted junior prom queen. After graduation, Norma attended The College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ and earned a bachelor’s degree in English. Following graduation, she taught English at Fort Edward High School.
While in high school, Norma met a handsome young man named Mitchell (Lee) Potvin, Jr. who would become the love of her life. Norma and Lee were united in marriage on August 24, 1957 by Monsignor Kiffin at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hudson Falls.
After living in Buffalo for four years while Lee attended dental school, they moved to Fort Campbell, KY for two years while Lee served in the army. In 1961, they returned to Hudson Falls to settle down and raise their growing family. While raising six children, Norma somehow found time to volunteer for numerous organizations, including the Glens Falls Hospital Guild, the Upper Hudson Dental Wives Association, Big Brothers/Sisters, and the Hyde Museum. Norma also served on the Hudson Falls School District Board of Education for 20 years, 11 of those years as Board President. Norma and Lee were also active members of The Glens Falls County Club for many
years. Norma’s Catholic faith was incredibly strong, and she was very active in the parish of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s where she was a lifelong member and one of the first babies baptized in the new church. She served as Lector and Eucharistic minister, was a member of the RCIA catechist team, taught religious education, served as a member of the bereavement committee, Ella’s Cupboard and Martha’s hostess committee. Norma also distributed Holy Communion to patients at Glens Falls Hospital. Together with her husband, Norma volunteered at St. Joseph’s House of Grace to watch over and assist the residents in their final days of life and more recently they delivered meals for Meals on Wheels. In 2011, Norma and Lee were recognized as Citizens of the Year by the Hudson Falls Rotary Club.
In the little free time Norma had, she enjoyed reading and completing the daily crossword puzzle and cryptoquotes with ease. She was a voracious reader and routinely devoured 5-7 books a week. Thanks to her Irish roots, Norma was blessed with the “gift of gab” and enjoyed numerous close friendships. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband, antique shopping, dancing and most recently spending time with her knitting group. However, none of these hobbies compared to the joy and pleasure she derived from spending time with her family and attending her children’s and then grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts, inductions, etc. Her large family was the world to Norma, and she would drop everything to spend time with each and every one of them. She loved them fiercely and unconditionally, and God help anyone who crossed them!
Norma was predeceased by her parents, a brother-in-law, Joseph Potvin, and many cousins.
Those left to cherish her memory include her devoted husband of 63 years,
Dr. Mitchell Lee Potvin, Jr.; her six children, Amy (Scott) Spencer, Dr. Mitchell Lee Potvin, III (Charlotte), Stacy Potvin (Sharon), Dr. Joseph Potvin (Carolyn), Cheryl (William) Hogan and Renee (Michael) Borgos; her 17 grandchildren who loved and adored her, Jordan (Jennifer), Maura, Cullen (Melissa), Evan (Amanda), Leah (Joe) and Tessa Spencer, Connor Potvin,Thomas, Benjamin, Daniel and Eliza Hogan, Nora, Luke and Heath Borgos, Joseph, Magdelene and Stephen Potvin; as well four great-
grandchildren, Lyla, Finley, Carter and Declan. Norma is also survived by her brother-in-law, William (Lyn) Potvin and her sisters-in-law Anne Marie (Bill) Mather and Patricia Potvin, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Norma’s family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Gaiotti-Grubbs, her nurses and all of the wonderful staff at the C.R. Wood Cancer Center for the care and compassion they gave our mother over the past few years. Her family is also eternally grateful to High Peaks Hospice for their support in Norma’s final days.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 80 Saratoga Avenue, South Glens Falls, NY.
Friends may visit with the family at the church prior to mass from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.
The mass will be live streamed on St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/channel/UCoRmh9joNvRgNRZFfSKWKBA
In accordance with CDC guidelines, masks and social distancing are required and contact tracing information must be provided upon admittance to the church.
The Rite of Committal will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Edward in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you instead consider donations in Norma’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children Processing Center, PO Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 2 Pine West Plaza #202, Albany, NY 12205.