1927 – 2016

AUBURN — Elaine M. Potter, 88, of Mechanic Falls died peacefully Sunday, May 15, at the Hospice House in Auburn.

Born in Norridgewock in 1927, she moved to Newport, R.I., as a young girl with her mom, Rachel, and stepfather, Thomas Martland. She attended Newport schools, graduating from Rogers High School in 1946. She completed a certificate program in infant care at St. Mary’s Hospital for Convalescent Children in New York City in 1947.

Elaine married her childhood sweetheart, Raymond Potter, in 1947, and had five children, Suzanne, Kathleen, Raymond, Kathryn and Jeffrey. When the children were older she worked as a cook, a skill and hobby her extended family and friends enjoyed. For several summers she sold harbor cruise tickets for her dear friends, the Oakleys, owners of Viking Tours of Newport, R.I.

After watching daughter Sue’s children grow up in Rhode Island, Elaine and Ray moved to Mechanic Falls to enjoy their sons’ children. She cherished her six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren, attending many of their concerts, ball games and graduations.

Elaine continued the fine art of letter writing to friends and family, always eager to receive return mail. She crocheted afghans for everyone in the family, all of her friends’ grandchildren and began making small blankets for the animals at the local shelter.

She is survived by her four remaining children, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years and infant daughter, Kathleen.

Condolences can be expressed to the family by visiting www.chandlerfunerals.com.