Joan A. Potter and her beloved husband, Edward H. Potter were reunited on Thursday, September 18, 2014. Joan, a fourth generation Floridian born in Sanford, was the only child of Roxanne Townsend Azzarello and Joseph N. Azzarello.
When Joan was two years old, her parents moved to Hollywood, California, where she appeared in several silent moving pictures. When she was eight, they returned to Sanford where she attended school and graduated from Seminole High School. She was active in the Drama Club, a member of Phi Alpha Kappa Sorority, and her senior year was chosen Most Beautiful Senior. Joan sang on the radio throughout the state of Florida while still in high school and studied piano during the summers at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. In the years following high school, she was selected as Miss Florida Citrus and was a member of the Orange Bowl Queen's Court in Miami, Florida.
Joan entered the University of South Carolina where she pledged Chi Omega Sorority, but soon met Lt. Potter, who was stationed at the Sanford Naval Air Station. They were married February 18, 1944. Four months later, Lt. Potter left for Okinawa to fly patrols in the Pacific during World War II. After the War he returned to meet his 21-month old daughter, Robin. Joan and Ed moved to Annapolis, Maryland, and from then on lived the Navy life, residing in Newport, Rhode Island; Shanghai, China; Whidbey Island, Washington; Coronado, California; Jacksonville, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Houston, Texas, in 1968. Their second daughter, Roxanne, was born at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, following Ed’s return from the Korean War. Their son, Edward J. H. Potter, was born in Pensacola.
As a Navy wife, Joan was active in Navy Wives Clubs and enjoyed the adventure of making a home and raising their three children all over the world.
In Houston Joan enjoyed many years as a volunteer. She was President of the Rice University Faculty Wives, a docent at Bayou Bend, and belonged to the World Trade Wives Club and the Ladies Association of the Houston Petroleum Club. Joan was a lifelong member of the Houston Symphony League and gave her time and energy to its fundraising efforts. She was a member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, twice served on its board and was recently honored for her years of service.
Joan leaves a legacy of ancestry and progeny of which she was very proud. Pre-deceased by her husband, Captain Edward H. Potter USNR, Joan is survived by her daughter and son-in- law, Robin and Tim Kennedy of Tampa, Florida; her daughter and son-in-law, Roxanne and Bruce Hennemuth of Westport, Connecticut; and her son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Sharon Potter, of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren, Caroline Santangelo, George Sprinkel, Christopher Ellis, Britt Hennemuth, Grace Hennemuth, Julia Potter, Jackson Potter, Elena Potter; and four great-grandchildren; Sophia Sprinkel, Anna Sprinkel, George Sprinkel VI, and Gabriel Santangelo.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024 at 11:00 am on Monday, September 22, 2014. A private graveside service will be conducted at Houston National Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to Charity Guild of Catholic Women, 1203 Lovett Blvd., Houston TX 77006 and/or Development Office, Houston Symphony, 615 Louisiana, Suite 102, Houston 77002.
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