MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. — Joan M. Potter McNally, 76, of Mount Laurel, N. J., died at home on Sept. 2 after a long battle with cancer and other ailments.

A Wilton native, born in Dryden, Maine, in 1935, she moved to South Jersey as a young woman and raised a family of six children. Her kids, and later their families, were the joy and focus of her life.

For most of that life, in addition to her role as housewife and mother, she worked as a secretary for RCA Corp. in Moorestown, N.J., Supertire Engineering in Pennsauken, N.J., RMC Technologies in Riverside, N.J., and National Towelette in Cinnaminson, N.J., and Bensalem, Penn. — acquiring the status of trusted assistant to the chief executive in a succession of firms.

Joan spoke with fondness and great humor of her childhood in Wilton of doing chores around the farm with her parents, Phil and Myrtle Potter, of attending a one-room schoolhouse, of sharing adventures with her older sister or her cousins. She returned as often as she could for the reunions of her class at the Wilton Academy.

Such an upbringing possibly explains Joan’s lifelong love for animals; in recent years her devoted companions were several pet cats. Sports, particularly baseball and football, were another passion. One of the saddest things about her passing is that she did not live to see her beloved Phillies capture what is certain to be another world championship come October. Of some consolation is that she will be able to watch the parade in peace and comfort this year.

Joan’s death is mourned by her children: Stephen, Richard (spouse to Victoria Baldwin), Kathleen (Michael Decker), Michele McNally (Jude Sweeney), Ronald (Cindy) and Brenda (Donnie Martelli). She leaves 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Gerold Toothaker, of Wilton; nieces Vickie (Dan Carrier) of Dixfield, Ronda (Gary Keen), of Ash Grove, Mo. and Linda (John Nichols) of Farmington.

Messages of condolence may be left at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.