Shirley J. Potter

Shirley J. Potter, 87, of the Town of Oppenheim, Dolgeville, New York, and formerly a long-time resident of Cold Brook, New York, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at her home with her large and loving family by her side.

She was born on February 7, 1937 in North Bend, Ohio and was the daughter of the late, Floyed and Vivian (Inzer) Gober. Shirley was educated at schools in Ohio.

In 1961, Shirley was united in marriage to John T. Potter in Salisbury, New York. The couple shared a blessed union of nearly 62 years together when John passed away on January 19, 2023. Shirley was a caring homemaker and alongside her husband, they raised their 12 children in a loving home.

Shirley loved to play cards including Skip-Bo, scratch-off lottery tickets, as well as doing ceramics, dancing and making her family laugh. In her youth, she was a lifeguard and taught most everyone in her family how to swim. Shirley had a new found loved for her iPad and learned quickly how to play games on it which was a nice pass time for her. The most important part of Shirley’s life was her amazing large family-her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her life. Her infectious smile and laugh will be carried in the hearts of all who knew her.

Shirley is survived by her loving children, Stella T. Lanphere and her husband, Dale of Dolgeville, NY, William F. Potter of Dolgeville, NY, Terri L. Farber and her husband, Christopher of Remsen, NY, Janet J. Potter and her wife, Bridget Potter of Concord, NH, Robert M. Potter and his wife, Tammy Potter of Remsen, NY, Dana Potter of Dolgeville, NY, John J. Potter of Fairfield, NY, and Jamie T. Tobin of Town of Ohio, NY; 25 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert “Bobby” Gober of NH; in-laws, William Potter of Hinkley, NY, Isabelle Seelman of Remsen, NY and Kathleen Kerrigan of Remsen, NY; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family, and a special friend, “Cookie”. 

She was predeceased by her parents Floyed and Vivian Gober, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. William and Alice Potter; her beloved children, Julie Potter, Arron Israel, James Potter, and Donald Potter; and grandchildren, Robert M. Potter, Jr. and Janet J. Bursard, Jr.; siblings, Joyce Jardine and Tenny Capirotti; and brother-in-law, Harold Potter.

A memorial graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Curtis Corners Cemetery in the Town of Salisbury, New York with Rev. Dr. R.W. Williams officiating, where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband and sons. The family will host a Celebration of Life reception at the home of Dale and Stella Lanphere at 108 Keyser Lake Road, Dolgeville, New York 13329 after the graveside service which will start at approximately at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The family is being cared for by long time family friends of locally owned and family operated, Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York, Cremations and Funerals.

The family of Shirley J. Potter would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice of Gloversville, NY and Miller-Plonka Funeral Home for all of their compassion, care and professionalism they showed to Shirley and her family.

Please consider memorial contributions for Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078 and please note in the Memo, “In Memory of Shirley J. Potter”.

To leave a message of sympathy for Shirley’s family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall and memorial book.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley J. Potter, please visit our floral store.