Joanne Koch Potee

1932 - 2022

Joanne Koch Potee

Turners Falls, MA — Joanne Koch Potee departed this life on August 7, 2022.

Rich in years, blessed with a large family and many friends, she enjoyed each day and lived with energy, humor and generosity of spirit.

The last twenty years were especially happy as her three daughters and seven of her eleven grandchildren lived within a half hours drive. Joanne was able to watch her daughters realize their potential and attended many school plays, concerts, and dances in which her grandchildren performed.

Joanne was born in Boston to Richard Felix Koch and Sonya Koretnor (nee Kesselman) Koch on November 10, 1932. Her childhood was spent in Cambridge and she was graduated in 1950 from the Winsor School in Boston where she was awarded the Nora Saltonstall scholarship for a years' study in France. In Paris, she took voice lessons from Yvonne Brothier of the Opera Comique and studied drawing and painting at the Academie Julian. She also acted in the American Theatre and directed the Christmas play at the American Cathedral.

During her teenage years, Joanne performed in the Boston Summer Theatre and at the Brattle Repertory theatre in Cambridge where she appeared in "Major Barbara" and "Boy Meets Girl".

Upon her return from Paris, Joanne attended Radcliffe College for two years. After a hiatus of six years, during which she was married and lived in Frankfurt, Germany and Chenai (then known as Madras), India, she returned to complete her studies. She was a member of the class of Harvard College 1963 and was graduated cum laude. Her honors thesis had as its subject the role of the servant in French comedy from 1660 to 1715.

From 1964 to 1983, Joanne resided in Petersham, Massachusetts. Joanne thought of these years as the most fulfilling and creative of her life. She raised five of her six children in that small village. The big house on Main Street was filled with her children and their friends during these years. Joanne and her close friend, Rosalie Cheney Fiske, wrote "The Bread Baker's Manual" which was illustrated by another close friend, Barbara Sleigh Ellis, of Athol. The book was published in 1978 and was selected as the book of the month by the Cooking and Crafts Book of the Month Club as well as chosen by the R.T. French Company as one of the outstanding specialty cookbooks of the year.

In addition, Joanne began to research, write and perform monologues; a total of seven in all of which "Mrs Alcott Remembers" was the favorite of her audiences and which she enjoyed the most. One of the last performances was at Deerfield Academy as a fundraiser for one of the organizations of which she was a member.

While living in Petersham, Joanne taught school and for 30 years worked at Danco in West Hatfield. She enjoyed sales and helping her customers. She retired at the age of eighty, as she believed one should work as long as possible and be a contributing member of the community in which one lives.

She had six children: Nicholas R. Koch of Minneapolis, MN; Rigo Schmelzer (Linda) of Bloomington, IL; Jenny Potee (Mike Yohan) of New Salem, MA; Deborah Potee (Rich Fitzgerald) of Northfield, MA; and Ruth Potee (Stephen Martin) of Northfield, MA. She was pre-deceased by her son, Charles Potee, in 1991. She is survived by her one sister, Lisa Fajardo (Salvador) of Vestal, NY and many adored nieces and nephews. She was able to stay in her beautiful house on the hill thanks to the devotion of her housemate, David Blair.

Joanne had eleven grandchildren, seven granddaughters and 4 grandsons, and one great grand-daughter of whom she was inordinately proud and delighted in seeing whenever possible: Emma Steiner, Charlie Schmelzer, Laura Koch, Elliot Koch, Nate Hurwitz, Tessa Yohan, Vivi Potee, Juliette Potee, Ben Potee, Ella Potee, and Jane Potee.

A celebration of her life will take place at the First Church of Deerfield at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 13th. Masks must be worn at the behest of the family and the church. Those who wish to make a gift in her memory may do so to the First Church of Deerfield or the Pocumtuck Memorial Museum of Deerfield.

The family would like to thank Pioneer Valley Hospice and Dr. Gump from Valley Medical Group for the excellent care provided.