Misty Potter

Misty Potter was a wonderful daughter, supportive and caring mother, silly aunt, beloved cousin, and fierce friend, born prematurely at 4 lbs 11 oz. with a strong warrior cry in Salem, Oregon, on July 4th, 1966, to Dixie Lee Branca (Harrison) and Keith Ludlow.

Misty was a joy to raise and a firecracker from the start. Full of creativity, spunkiness and energy. She loved dancing and singing more than anything, with her contagious laugh or silly songs she made up as the soundtrack to her life (and ours, in the best way). "Happy birthday to hamburger, Happy birthday to hotdog!" and "The Vacuum Song" will always be favorites for the family.

She was pure love, light, and happiness bundled up in a person and she freely gave it to everyone she met without even trying. No one was a stranger to her. She laughed and made friends with anyone she met. She could have a conversation with anyone and change their outlook in minutes. She taught so many people to love life, not sweat the small stuff, and to be kind.

Her greatest joy and accomplishment in life, according to her, was her only daughter, Sidney, born in 1988. The bond they shared is unbreakable, and their love unshakable. They were best friends and are forever connected.

She was a brilliant, dedicated RN for 31 years. She was obsessed with learning and mentoring as many people as she could along the way.

The highlight of her career was caring for the children at Primary Children's Medical Center in Utah for over 15 years, and working with all of her colleagues and friends. Her career as a nurse was so important to her, and impactful to so many. She always had a special way of calming the children and parents. She loved making costumes and dressing up for Halloween to help the kids have some fun. She always went all out and won the contests with her creativity.

She always connected effortlessly with children and animals, with her almost electric spirit, making it impossible to not gravitate to her. She was always trying to make sure every dog had a chance at a forever home, especially the elderly or the underdog. She loved them with her whole heart. We're sure she's with our heart dogs, Moo, and Mary, saying "I Ruh Roo!". Along with all of our other beloved pets.

She was a free, gypsy spirit who loved even the "lowly worms" (she made a box as a child to be their home and kept it until the end) along with all creatures of the world. She taught everyone how to love harder and enjoy life to the fullest. She loved being spontaneous and having a good time.

She was an amazing cook who loved to experience life through delicious food and share that love with anyone she could.

Please honor her by dancing and singing to new wave 80's music any chance you get. Watch for her in orange dragonflies and ladybugs, live the life you want to live with no questions asked.

She wanted everyone to be happy reminiscing about her life and remember the best parts of her.

She also wanted to make sure, in her last days here, that everyone knew that she didn't lose this battle. She gained a beautiful life, family and friends in the short time she was here. She won the war in her eyes and gave it her all.

She'll be supporting us and rooting us all on from wherever we end up after this.

She is survived by her daughter Sidney Potter, her mother, Dixie Branca, stepfather Jerry Branca, and her loving brother Shawn Ludlow, along with the many friends and family, especially her cousins who she loved so much.

She really loved this poem and shared it with me shortly after her birthday this year, so I'll leave you with this excerpt:

"I am more here than I ever was... My love, I want it to echo through your bones. Dying is the opposite of leaving.

I want to echo it through the corridor of your temples, I am more with you than I ever was before... I can't believe I ever thought I could leave you" - Andrea Gibson