Eleanore D. Potter

July 14, 1928 to February 17, 2026

On February 17, 2026 Eleanore Denehee Potter entered into eternal rest surrounded by her loving family. Born to Marion Feurher Denehee and James J. Denehee in New Haven, CT. Eleanore loved living in New Haven.

After graduating from St Mary’s High School in New Haven, she earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Chicago. Always seeking a challenge, she was accepted at the University of Connecticut, School of Law into the first co-ed law class in the school’s history. Upon commencement and admission to the bar she pursued a career as a law librarian. While living up to her belief in being a life-long learner, she met her future husband Norman Potter in a night class when he offered her a ride home in the middle of a hurricane. Since she would have had to wait for the city bus, deciding to take a chance, she accepted and they were married in 1956. After that she spent several years teaching fourth grade in the Waterbury school system.

They moved from New Haven to Bethany, CT for a few years before settling in Madison. They raised their two children there while Eleanore pursued her passions of reading everything she could get her hands on, doing crossword puzzles in ink, and later accompanying Norman to his Assistant Professor of Electronics at Thames Valley State Technical Institute when his eyesight began to fail him and he needed help driving. Eleanor had many interests including politics, economics' and reading about cutting edge medical discoveries. Elenore loved animals and supporting animal rescues became her driving force in her later years.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years, Norman Potter and two children, Maria Potter Popp (Matthew) and Christopher David Potter (Christine). She is additionally survived by four grandchildren; Madeleine Popp, Harrison Potter Popp (Kassie), Lauren Potter, and Jack Potter.