Carol V. Potter Obituary (1946

Carol V. Potter, 77, of Bloomington, passed away at 11:44 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal. Her memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at St. Patrick Church of Merna, where visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Cremation rites have been accorded. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family. A private inurnment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com. She was born October 7, 1946 in Chicago, daughter of Joseph and Virginia Reiff Cotinelli. She married Roger Potter on August 10, 1974 in Manchester, MO. Surviving are her husband, Roger, Bloomington; one daughter, Karen (Andy) Grotbo, Bloomington; one son, Steven Potter, Chicago; three grandchildren, Anna, Julia & Bennett Grotbo. Also surviving are one sister, Celeste (Michael) Koebel, Ballwin, MO and three nephews, Michael (Jeannie) Koebel, Cuba, MO, Ryan (Tricia) Koebel, Grover, MO and Todd (Gabbie Stieb) Koebel, St. Louis, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents and one infant brother. Carol received her undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University and her Master's degree from Illinois State University. She taught elementary school in St. Louis County, Missouri, where she also served as a principal for a year. She was honored to be first runner up for the West County Outstanding Young Educator Award. In Illinois, she was a reading specialist in Farmer City schools for several years. Later, she was Director of the Curriculum Lab at ISU and then Assistant Director of the Special Education Lab there. After the births of her children, she dedicated herself to being a full time mother and homemaker. Carol volunteered for several organizations in Bloomington-Normal, including Homes of Hope and MADD. She was also an active member of St. Patrick Church of Merna, where she volunteered her time in many ways, including religious education. She engaged in a variety of homemaking arts and crafts in addition to enjoying hosting family and friends at her home. Boating was one of her favorite ways to spend time with family and friends, and she was a member of the IVY Club in Peoria, Isles Yacht Club in Florida, and America's Boat Club (U.S. Power Squadron). She was a devoted wife and mother, whose greatest interest was her family, children, and grandchildren.