Joan Potter

Joan (Service) Potter, 79, of Willimantic, died Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at her home. She was born March 4, 1928 in Stafford, the daughter of Louis and Dorothy (Lewis) Service. She grew up in Willington, graduated from Windham High School, attended the University of Connecticut and was a life long active member of Beta Sigma Phi. She retired from the University of Connecticut where she was a familiar face to thousands of UConn students who met her as she worked behind the main desk in the Student Union Building. Joan, a true Connecticut Yankee, was a gentle soul who mixed a zest for life with a wry sense of humor, an adventurous spirit, and a dash of stubbornness. She loved reading, crosswords, the theatre, dining out, and following her favorite sports teams. She adored animals, with the very pronounced exception of snakes, and spoiled with affection many cats and dogs over the years. In her later years, she derived great pleasure from watching her grandchildren evolve into wonderful human beings. Her quiet independence and fierce loyalty to family and close friends will be missed oh so dearly. She is survived by two children, Scott Potter and his wife Sharon Gatzke of Lebanon, Dianne Grant and her husband Brett of Windham Center, four grandchildren, Zachary and Sarah Potter, Brooke and Dana Grant, several nieces and nephews including Shannon (Service) Wilkes of Anchorage, AK. She was predeceased by a brother, Al Service. Her family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Rte. 195, Willimantic on Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Willington Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Card Home for the Aged, 154 Pleasant St., Willimantic, CT 06226. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guestbook.