CUMBERLAND — Margelia Loring Blanchard Potter, 94, died March 5.
She was born at Sunnyside Farm on Blanchard Road on Oct. 21, 1921, the third daughter of Anna and Howard Blanchard.
She graduated from a 15-person class at Greely Institute in 1939 and attended Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating in 1941.
After college, Potter stayed in Worcester and worked at Leland-Gifford, where she met her late husband, Bruce Potter. They were married on Sept. 3, 1944, and, when her husband was called overseas in 1945, Potter moved from Virginia back to the farm in Cumberland. She lived in the house where she was born, taking care of her mother and father, then stayed in the family home, in the place where she was a well-known fixture, until she was 88. She then moved to Ledgeview Assisted Home in Cumberland, where she spent the last six years of her life.
Potter was a lifelong member and deacon of the Cumberland Congregational Church. She volunteered for many years in the Special Care Unit at Maine Medical Center, and was also a teacher’s aide at Maine Stream in the Cumberland-North Yarmouth school system. She and her sister, Barbara, spent many mornings grading carnations at Sunnyside Greenhouse. She belonged to the Cumberland Garden Club, We Neighbor’s, and was a den mother and Brownie leader.
Three mornings a week at 5:30 a.m., Potter would swim a mile at the Greely Pool. She joined a runner’s group and took up jogging when she was in her 60s, and would ski with her friends on Ladies Tuesday at Mt. Abram. She loved sharing experiences and memories with her special group of friends, The Travel Club.
She was predeceased by her husband and two sisters, Estelle Blanchard Heraptha and Barbara Blanchard Garsoe.
Potter is survived by her children, David Potter, Mark Potter and Judy Potter; nieces and nephews Peter Garsoe, Susan Garsoe Kathy Poirier and Bruce Moore and great-nieces and great-nephews Michelle Garsoe VanVliet, Nichole Garsoe Fien, Monique Garsoe Dever, Carrie Poirier Greenaway, Molly Poirier and Harper Rouse-Garsoe.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ledgeview and VNA Hospice for their care and support.
There will be a celebration of life at Cumberland Congregational Church on Saturday, May 7, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Diane Bennekamper officiating.
Potter
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