Joan went home to heaven on Sunday, November 5, 2023. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY; the only daughter of Robert and Florence Potts. She graduated from Wagner College in 1956 with a business degree and then worked on Wall Street.
While she was just a girl, she met, Dick, the love of her life, at Green Pond, a little lake in northern New Jersey, where their families had cottages just 10 houses apart. This past March, they celebrated 65 years of marriage. After their marriage they continued to summer at Green Pond. There they had years of treasured memories with each other, family and many close friends. On Sunday mornings they could be found at their beloved Chapel, and on any nice evening, they might be spotted out for a paddle in their red Old Town canoe.
They were blessed with four children: Laura (Tim), Dave, Carole (Mike), and Barbara (Sean). They later became “Nanny and Buddy” to 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren whom they enjoyed immensely.
Joan embodied what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the lives of others. She had a servant’s heart and was actively involved with her church, community, and charitable causes. She had the gift of hospitality. She and Dick regularly hosted dinner parties and often included those without local family to share in those meals. They also opened their home to numerous foster children. For decades, she had a card ministry in which she blessed many with encouraging words, celebrating happy occasions or just a note to say – I’m thinking of you and praying for you.
At the end of her life, as dementia stole many things from her, she never lost her sense of humor and love of hugs. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.
