Obituary of Dorothy Potter

Dorothy E. (Dooley) Potter, passed away at her home in Woburn with her family at her bedside on Wednesday morning, March 9, 2011. She was 82 years old. Dorothy’s father worked for United Fruit Company and her family was living in Panama when she was born. Dorothy spent her growing years alternating between Cuba and Massachusetts. Her years living in Cuba, were times she cherished for her entire life. With the onset of World War II, her family opted to return to the safety of the United States where they settled in Cambridge. She was a graduate of Cambridge High & Latin and then went on to graduate from Simmons College in Boston. She stayed active through the alumni as Treasurer of her class. She particularly enjoyed her friendships with her classmates throughout the years and took part of all her reunions. Simmons College held a special place in her heart. Dorothy met her husband Robert at a dance during his recovery from wounds suffered while deployed with the Marine Corps Raiders during World War II. They married and settled in Arlington to raise their 3 children. After her husband passed away she moved to Woburn where she had lived for over 20 years. Dorothy worked as a Secretary at Arthur D. Little in Cambridge for 33 years. She loved her job and her many friends she made at the company. She kept in close contact with them long after retiring. She was a member of the 25 Year Club, never missed any of their gatherings, and even vacationed with many of her coworkers. Dorothy was an avid golfer. She was a member of the Woburn Women’s Golf League at the Woburn Country Club. She golfed three or four times a week up until the age of 79. She loved to travel both throughout the United States and overseas. She had a close bond with her three children and was very proud of her granddaughter Cara Sullivan. Dorothy was the type of person that once she formed a friendship with you she maintained it throughout the years as was evident with her many friendships from Simmons College, Arthur D. Little and the Woburn Country Club. She was a true friend for life. Dorothy was the beloved wife of the late Robert G. Potter. She was the loving mother of Robert Potter of Malden, Nancy Sullivan of Nashua, NH and William Potter of Woburn. She was the mother-in-law of the late Gerard Sullivan. She was the sister of Richard Davis of Gulf Breeze, FL, Katherine Callahan of Brewster and the late Pauline Smith. She was the very proud grandmother of Cara Sullivan of Washington, D.C. Dorothy was also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Sat. March 12 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Charles Church, 280 Main St., Woburn at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Memorial donations may be made to Simmons College, Attention Advancement Services, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115 or VNA of Middlesex East & VNA Hospice, 607 North Ave, Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.