Jan Potter

Janet Therese Potter, 80, died peacefully after a sudden illness Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, surrounded by her family. Born in Enid, Okla., Jan moved with her parents to Hollywood, Calif., in 1942. She attended schools as far distant as Europe and as close as Los Angeles. Having majored in history at Immaculate Heart College and the University of Connecticut with additional studies at UCLA and UCSB, she also studied at the Samuel Merritt School of Nursing in Oakland, Calif. Jan and her family moved to the Central Coast, first in the early 60s to Santa Barbara and in the late 70s to the Arroyo Grande area. Her last move was to San Luis Obispo in the late 80s, where she resided in her unique residence in Rolling Hills, frequently the site of meetings, parties, and fund raising activities. As the mother of four children, Jan was very involved in their school activities, PTA''s and the Parent Guild. Her primary interest, after her family, was historical education. Jan served as a docent for the Santa Barbara Historical Society Museum and Mission San Luis Obispo, and was a member of the South County Historical Society. She served many years as a judge for "History Day" and developed a local classroom program for third and fourth grades students, where she presented historical slides and lectures costumed as a teacher of the 1870s. She was also passionate about women''s issues and was the longest serving member of the Commission on the Status of Women. She volunteered with the Women''s Resource Center, served on the Board of the Women''s Community Center and was a member of AAUW and the League of Women''s Voters. Jan will be remembered as a wonderful storyteller, an energetic and enthusiastic volunteer and gracious neighbor and hostess. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Jan is survived by her brother, Stephen Milburn (Karlene) of Madison, Ala.; children Charles Hazel (Melody) of Sitka, Alaska; Phyllis Potter of Lopez Island, Wash.; Vivien Vander Poel Mendes (Victor) of Tipton, Calif.; and Paul Potter (Ashley) of Arroyo Grande; as well as 10 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 301 Trinity Dr. in Arroyo Grande. In lieu of flowers, Jan''s family asks that you please make a donation in Jan''s name to Mission San Luis Docent Fund, 751 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.