Dorothy E. (Bell) Potter, 91, died on March 20, 2013. She was born on October 5, 1921 in Hodgdon, Maine the daughter of the late Simeon and Cordelia (Leavitt) Bell. She was the loving wife of the late Alvah L. Potter.
Dorothy graduated from Woodland High School in Woodland Maine in 1939. She graduated from University of Maine in Orono, Maine in 1943. She took her final exams early to accompany her husband on his commitment to the U.S. Navy. Dorothy was first employed at the Army Map Service in Washington D.C. in 1943 while her husband was enlisted with the U.S. Navy as an Aviator.
Dorothy has been a member of the Maple Street Congregational Church in Danvers, MA since 1950. She was a member of their Woman’s Club and also a Sunday school teacher. Dorothy was a live at home Mom until 1967, when she became a home economics teacher at Marblehead Junior High. She retired in 1984.
Dorothy was a well-dressed, dignified woman who always cared for others before herself. She maintained an amazing sense of humor up to her final day. She was an accomplished seamstress who turned bargains to riches. Her granddaughter will always remember the prom dress Dorothy sewed for her. Her grandsons will always remember the large bean bag frogs Dorothy taught them to sew. Grammie Dot always saved change to roll for summer vacations.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Ann Reid of Dover, NH, her son and daughter-in-law, David and Lesley Potter of Nevada City, CA, her grandchildren, Judithann (Reid) Osgood of Littleton, MA, Christopher Potter of Nevada City, CA and Douglas Potter of Chico, CA, a great grandson Brandon Lavoie of Littleton, MA, her siblings, Richard Bell and his wife Nancy of Hinesburg, VT and Helen Haskell of Hermon, ME and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Kenneth Bell.
Dorothy was well attended for in her final days by faithful caretakers Joyce and Rick Naworski and daughter Ann Reid. The family would like to also thank Ann Ciruolo for her continued support and devotion.
A private picnic and service will be held at a later date.