It was the laugh.  I know that you can hear it just as well as I can, filling the room, sharing the moment, lifting our hearts.  Then there was the gum chewing habit which she passed along from our UW days.  I never fully forgave her for mailing just the gum wrapper, minus the gum to me in Africa, where I would have crossed the Nile for a single piece.   It did force me to stand in line for two hours at the local hotel to wait a turn at the phone.  I called and complained - again the laugh and all was well.   

When she heard that I was going to Russia to work on a documentary, she casually handed me a gift to take, saying it might come in handy.  I half expected it to be a major amount of gum after my last complaint, but it turned out to be much better.  She had made a compilation  of music on cassettes.  One night in Armenia I discovered that on the black market her tapes had quite a value.  

As my husband and I moved around we lost contact with CJ for awhile but one day she checked in to update us on her life.  She spoke with such love for her parents, siblings and nieces and nephews, just as she had over the years.  Her interest and pride in each and every one of them was so apparent.  As we hang up the phone that day, she laughed over something silly and I was left with that delightful sound.  Hear it! 

Virginia Lynn



I am devastated to hear of Carla's passing; she was so lively, so present, so joyful.  She charmed the world and she was beloved.  

Carla and I started our careers at PNB in Seattle; she was my boss, later my colleague and finally my friend.  What fun we had over the years!  I cherish those memories!!

I'm grateful for the time we were given, yet my heart cries at her absence.  Fly high with the angels, Carla, fly high!!     

I knew Carla in college at the UW when we sat together in chemistry class.  She was a funny, endearing and very intelligent young woman! She encouraged me to buy my first motorcycle and I still keep my driving license motorcycle endorsement even though I no longer own a bike. During the gas rationing times in the 70's Carla and I had even and odd numbered license plates on our motorcycles.  She taught me to siphon gas between the two bikes so that we could have gas to go on rides.  My boyfriend at the time and later, husband, was initially horrified but later allowed that siphoning gas was actually a pretty useful skill to know!

Carla embraced life and I am so glad to know that she enjoyed love and interesting adventures in the time since I knew her many years ago.  My condolences to her extended family.

My friendship with Carla happened over 20 years ago, yet she was such a memorable person that those times remain fresh in my heart.
The most lasting memory I'd like to share is of a dinner that Carla and her partner of the time invited me and my partner (still my life long sweetie) to share at their home.  I was newly "out" and I was so impressed by their closeness, kindness and caring that it gave me strength and confidence to live my life openly and proudly.
On a lighter note, I'm pretty certain anyone who ever knew Carla had at least a crush on her -- and I suspect it will remain so in the afterlife.  She was that special.

I knew Carla from High School and then years later our paths crossed when we both worked at the phone company.  I am so sorry to hear of her passing.  She was such a happy friendly person I am blessed to have known her.

I am so sorry to see the passing of Carla Jo in this morning Seattle Times. What a great picture, half smile, half smirk.  I will remember her as a smart lady with a wonderful sense of humor. I met Carla Jo at Olalla last year.  Kay

OBITUARY

Carla Jo Potocki

14 July, 1955 – 5 November, 2010

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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