Betty R. Potter

Betty R. (McMahon) Potter, 86, of Willet, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at the Guthrie Cortland Regional Medical Center, Cortland, NY, while surrounded by her children.

Betty was born in Willet, NY, on May 11, 1933, the daughter of the late Christopher and Grace Brown McMahon.  A lifelong resident of the area, she was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Marathon, and had also attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cincinnatus.  For the past few months, she was a resident of the Elizabeth Brewster House, Homer.  She retired from Polkville Crushed Stone after several years of service.  Prior to that, she had worked at the First National Bank of Cortland, Cincinnatus, Chris Craft Boat Company, Cortland, and Grumman Boat Company, Marathon.  She had also previously worked as a nurse’s aide for the Cincinnatus Central School.  In her younger years, she had attended SUNY Cortland and was proud to be the head majorette during her freshman year of college.  In her spare time, she was an avid bingo player and enjoyed her Friday afternoon board game gatherings with family and friends.  A loving mother and grandmother, Betty lived for her family.

She is survived by her children, Allie C. (Carlene) Potter, Sr., Timothy (Sally) Potter, and Gail (Michael) Parsons, all of Willet, and Theresa (Frank) Suits of Cortland.  She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Allie (Heather Young) Potter, Jr., Bradley (Meagan) Potter, Michael (Shawna Hulbert) Potter, Timothy (Cheryl) Potter, Scott (Jessica) Potter, Frank (Lucila) Suits, III, Peter Suits, Jennifer (Dave) McMasters, Katie (Denis) Niggli and Emily (James) Kissel; great-grandchildren, Trentin, Nolan, Kailee, Kendyl, and Timothy Potter, Hannah, Molly, and Benjamin McMasters, Mark and Ryan Niggli, Liliana Suits, Allison and Abigail Kissel, and two great-grandchildren on the way; her longtime friends since childhood, Margaret Pendell, Barb Lathrop Watrous, and Frances “Bunny” Schank.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Allie L. Potter, Jr., on March 12, 2003; a brother, Christopher McMahon; a special nephew, Christopher McMahon, Jr., and special cousin, Mabel "Toot" Underwood.

The family will be present to receive friends at the Marathon Memorial Chapel, 4071 State Route 221, Marathon, NY, on Saturday, January 11, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  There will be no formal funeral service at this time.  A graveside committal service will be held at the Marathon Cemetery at a later time. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Betty may be directed to the Elizabeth Brewster House Recreation Fund, 41 S. Main Street, Homer, NY 13077.