Obituary of Karen Anne Potts

Karen Anne Potts, a beloved Burlington teacher, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, May 29, 2025, surrounded by her family after an extended illness. She was 73 years old.

Karen was born in Everett, MA, and was one of two daughters of Mary (Salipante) and William Loveys, Jr. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood growing up in Somerville and graduated from Somerville High School, class of 1969, where she loved participating in choral and theater productions. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Salem State College.

Karen began her teaching career in the Somerville school system, teaching fourth grade at Lincoln Park Elementary School. During a one-year relocation to Texas, she taught in Humble, TX. Upon returning to Massachusetts, she resumed teaching in Somerville until the birth of her second child. During those early years of motherhood, she worked part-time as a librarian at the Winchester Public Library.

Once her daughters were well-established in school, Karen returned to teaching in the Burlington school system. She worked as a reading specialist at Francis Wyman School and later as a kindergarten instructional aide and then a kindergarten classroom teacher at Fox Hill Elementary School. She found great joy working with kindergartners - she loved their sweetness, innocence, and the thrill of introducing them to the world of learning. Eventually, she felt at home at Pine Glen Elementary School where she finished out her career as a kindergarten teacher.

Karen poured her heart into teaching. She was engaging, entertaining, and deeply dedicated to her students. She often brought out her guitar for sing-alongs and created educational videos, “Teacher Adventures” during her travels, turning vacations into exciting learning experiences for her class. One of her most cherished professional moments was the opportunity to work for a year at the same school as her daughter, Amanda. Karen spent over 30 years in education, loving almost every moment, before retiring in 2016.

Music and theater were central to Karen's life and even played a part in her love story. She and her husband, Web, met through the Somerville Players - Karen was starring in Once Upon a Mattress, and Web was the assistant director. While Web knew right away that Karen was the one, it took a bit more time to win her over. Although performing initially took a backseat to family and children, in her retirement, Karen and Web returned to performing as members of the Reading Community Singers.

Karen adored trips to New York City to see Broadway shows. At home, Broadway music filled the air every Saturday. She passed on her passion for music and the arts to both daughters - one of whom became a music teacher, and the other, a board member of a non-profit arts organization.

Karen’s life revolved around her family. She and Web shared a love of adventure, traveling to Italy, England, Costa Rica, Aruba, South Dakota, Utah, and even a cruise to Alaska. Whether exploring jungles or spotting buffalo in the wild, Karen embraced every experience. As a mother, she strived to open the world to her daughters and support their dreams. She even chaperoned many high school band trips to Disney World - a labor of love for any parent.

For over 45 years, the Potts family summered at the beaches of Wells and York, Maine, with other vacations to places like the Grand Canyon adding to a lifetime of treasured memories. Karen's final trip was to Disney World just last year, sharing the “Disney Magic” with her grandson.

Her grandchildren affectionately called her “Gigi.” She was a fun, lively, and loving grandmother who created cherished memories through “Gigi Camp” - a summer tradition filled with arts and crafts, games, adventures, indulgent treats, and her famous homemade brownies. It was a perfect blend of a grandmother’s love and a teacher’s creativity - an experience her grandchildren will never forget.

Karen lived life to the fullest. She pursued her passions, made learning joyful, and filled every space with warmth, laughter, and music. Remembering Karen will undoubtedly bring a smile - and likely a chuckle – for all those who knew her.

Karen was the beloved wife of Web Potts for 45 years. She was the loving and supportive mother of Alyson Sturm & her husband Brian of Darien, CT and Amanda Potts-Samuels of Woburn. She was the proud “Gigi” of Madelyn Sturm, Nora Sturm, and Lincoln Samuels. She was the beloved daughter of the late Mary & William Loveys, Jr. and sister of the late Christine Martell. She was the sister-in-law of Debbie & Matt Fronzak of Acworth, GA and the daughter-in-law of Cherie Potts of The Villages, FL, and the late Earl & Margaret Potts. 

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, June 3 from 4-7 p.m. at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 4 at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Malachy Church in St. Veronica Parish, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Memorials in Karen’s name may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for Gynecological Cancer Center, using this link to the Dana Faber Jimmy Fund website. 

For online guestbook & obituary see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net