Mary Theresa (Cruise) Potter, age 93, died peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at home surrounded by her loving family. Wife of William G. Potter, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Theresa Cruise. Born in Salem, Mary graduated from Salem High School and the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston. She worked for several years in the business office at the Hunt Memorial Hospital and she lived most of her life in Danvers and Hamilton.
Mary was the matriarch of and passionate about her large family. She derived great joy from leading many family gatherings from birthday parties and reunions to holiday celebrations. Mary always had a smile and kind word for everybody. She enjoyed spending family time at “the cabin” in the Mt. Washington Valley and her winter home in Florida. Mary also enjoyed her travels abroad especially to Ireland, Belgium, Israel and Egypt.
Mary is survived by the love of her life, her husband, Bill, with whom she shared 70 years of marriage. They were inseparable throughout their life together and it was truly a match made in Heaven. In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by her 11 children, Julie Zohn and her husband Bob of Boston, Adria Lancaster and her husband Bill of Walpole, Judy Potter of Al Wakrah, Qatar, Bruce Potter and his wife Anita of Danvers, Suzanne Allison and her husband Bob of Topsfield, David Potter and his wife Liz of Danvers, Mary LeBlanc and her husband Mike of Danvers, Mark Potter and his wife Ginny of Hamilton, Shawn Potter and his wife Barbara of Hamilton, Rick Potter and his wife Helen of Hamilton and Bill Potter and his wife Margo of Middleton and New York City and Gracia Milliken of Windham, N.H. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Cruise.
The Potter family would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the nurses, aides and chaplain from All Care VNA and Hospice who provided professional and compassionate care to their mother.
Service information: Visitation will be held at the CAMPBELL Funeral Home at 525 Cabot St., Beverly on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 from 4-8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary-Annunciation Church at 24 Conant St., Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Care VNA and Hospice, 210 Market St., Lynn, MA. 01901. Information, directions, condolences at Campbellfuneral.com.