Margelia Loring Potter

1921 - 2016

Margelia Loring Blanchard Potter, 94
CUMBERLAND - Margelia Loring Blanchard Potter passed away on March 5, 2016, after a well-lived life of 94 years.
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, Mass., graduating in 1941.
After college, Margelia stayed in Worcester and worked at Leland-Gifford, where she met her late husband Bruce Potter. They were married on Sept. 3, 1944, at the Farm on Blanchard Road, and after the wedding they moved to Norfolk, Va., until Bruce was called overseas in 1945. Margelia moved back to the Farm in Cumberland and lived in the house she was born in, caring for her ill Mother and Father. She stayed in her house where she was a well-known fixture in town until she was 88 years old. She moved to Ledgeview Assisted Home in Cumberland where she spent the last six years of her life.
She loved her family and her friends. She was a life-long 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., Margelia would swim a mile with her sister, Barbara, 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 the many experiences and memories with her special group of friends - The Travel Club.
Margelia is survived by her children David Potter and wife Pamela, Mark Potter and wife Ann, and Judy Potter and longtime partner Michael. Nieces and nephews are Peter Garsoe, Susan Garsoe, Kathy Poirier, and Bruce Moore. Great-nieces and great-nephews are Michelle Garsoe VanVliet, Nichole Garsoe Fien, Monique Garsoe Dever, Carrie Poirier Greenaway, Molly Poirier, and Harper Rouse-Garsoe.
She was predeceased by her husband Bruce Potter, her sisters Estelle Blanchard Heraptha and husband John, Barbara Blanchard Garsoe and husband Billy, and sister-in-law Ruth Potter Moore and husband Welding.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ledgeview and VNA Hospice for the loving care and support given to Margelia and to them.
There will be a celebration of Margelia's life at Cumberland Congregational Church on Saturday, May 7, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Diane Bennekamper officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth. You may offer your condolences to the family at: www.lindquistfuneralhome.com