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1938
2022
ROBBINS
THE HONORABLE SARAH POTTER ROBBINS
Died May 4, 2022, at the age of 83 at home surrounded by her loving family.
Born in London, Ontario, Canada on December 6, 1938 to American parents Ira D. and Carrie Alice (Thompson) Copley and spent her childhood in Delhi, Ontario, Canada traveling frequently to Virginia, her parents' home state to visit with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She met her husband, Robert M. Potter of Bladensburg, MD over a neighbor's fence in Delhi, started a courtship and were married in Keysville, VA on June 1, 1957. Their first home was in Bladensburg, MD and they moved with their young daughter Tara to their new home in New Carrollton in 1959, where Sarah lived the remainder of her very active life.
Sarah is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Bob in 2005, and is survived by her second husband Richard L. Robbins of New Carrollton, her daughter Tara Potter of Annapolis, Maryland, and Richard's daughter Cassandra and her husband Paul Mercer of Baltimore, Maryland.
Sarah was dedicated to the performing arts in Prince George's County since 1960. She was a founding and continuously serving board member of the Prince George's Little Theatre which was originally known as the Carrollton Players. She worked tirelessly for the arts in the County, initiating and lobbying for a performing arts facility, now known as the Prince George's Publick Playhouse for the Performing Arts, serving on its Board of Directors from 1981 – 2017.
Sarah was very involved with her local community as well, serving as the chair of the New Carrollton Bicentennial Ball in 1976, on various advisory committees, and supporting the Friends of the New Carrollton Police Department Foundation.
Active in local politics, Sarah was elected to the New Carrollton City Council in 1989, serving until 2005 when she retired. Not to be one to sit the sidelines, she was re-elected in 2015 and served until her death. She was entered into the Maryland Municipal League Hall of Fame in 2019 for twenty years of service as an elected official and was previously a recipient of the Longevity Award from the Prince George's County Municipal Association in 2005.
Sarah supported the Doctors Community Hospital Foundation serving on the Community Relations Committee and the Ball Committee from 1992 – 2013, and served as a Scholarship Committee member for Maryland State Senator Paul Pinsky for seven review cycles. She was the recipient of several awards at the state and local levels, including the Governor's Citation for "Outstanding Individual Arts Award" and as one of the top 10 Outstanding Volunteers in Prince George's County with special recognition as a Volunteer Activist. Sarah was recognized as an Advocate for the Performing Arts in the 1994 publication of the book Women of Achievement in Prince George's County History, a collection of over 200 women's brief biographies dating back to the 17th century.
Sarah's wish was to be an organ donor, and as such, her body has been donated to Anatomy Gifts Registry. She will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery with her first husband Bob at a later date. We will gather to celebrate Sarah's life at the United Baptist Church, 7701 Riverdale Road, New Carrollton, MD at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the New Carrollton Police Department, 6016 Princess Garden Parkway New Carrollton, MD 20784 or to your local SPCA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Memories of our long friendship linger and my life is better for knowing you. From 16 years old singing in the choir with you and the many fun filled years in Prince George's Little Theatre, I cherish my journey with you. With forever love and admiration, Helen (Cameron) Myers
Helen Myers
Friend
December 12, 2023
Sarah, I have so many wonderful memories of our time spent together at PGLT. They say that "if you want something done, ask a busy person" and that was certainly true of you Sarah. You were so welcoming to me as the newbie at PGLT and I will never forget that. You will be missed.
Wanda Harris
Friend
June 28, 2022
Dear Richard and Tara, my sincere condolences to you on the loss of Sarah.
Tara, good memories of your family summer visits to Delhi and our family visits to New Carrollton. After my mom Stella passed away, Sarah became a second mother to me. Loved our many long phone chats and I will miss her.
Kristine (Zawada) Prentice
June 1, 2022
My deepest sympathy to the family of Sarah Potter-Robbins. She left a monumental legacy of successful achievements and friends who will miss her but have wonderful memories to cherish. Sarah was a generous, loving friend and I will miss her.
Helen Myers
Friend
May 23, 2022
Being a close neighbor with Sarah gave us the opportunity to know her well. She was very active in the New Carrollton community in numerous aspects. She was always a interactive neighbor on our street. Her 1st husband, Bob Potter did everything under the sun to make their life a most enjoyable one. Both will be missed for all that had the pleasure of knowing them!
Bruce Bedard & Ronda Braden
Friend
May 22, 2022
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