Obituary of Patricia B. Potter

Patricia B. Potter, 96, of State College, passed away on Monday, December 11, 2023, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Born November 23, 1927, in Mechanicsburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Frank E. and Margaret (McGuire) Belknap. On November 4, 1950 she married Philip J. Potter, in Camp Hill, PA ,who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her three children, Margaret P Potter of State College, PA, Philip C Potter of Omaha, NE, and Kathleen Wooldridge and her husband Byron of Seabrook, TX as well as 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Patricia was a graduate of Lemoyne High School and Grove City College earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism followed by a Master's of Education in Reading from Shippensburg University.

Pat had a wide variety of interesting and meaningful occupations in life beginning with writing advertising in New York City, then Carlisle PA. She was also a crime reporter for the Carlisle Evening Sentinel, as well as contributing many articles and columns for regional newspapers and magazines.

Later in life, she became a beloved reading teacher in the Carlisle public school system, teaching thousands of students before her retirement. However, her greatest accomplishment was as a dedicated and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Pat loved traveling, especially with her husband throughout the United States and Europe. She was also an avid animal lover, sharing her home with countless cats and dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, as well as lizards and snakes. She also enjoyed bird watching as well as hiking, walking and generally exploring. One of her greatest joys was serving as a docent at the Centre Furnace Mansion in State College. She is remembered by many for her keen (and often twisted) sense of humor, as well as her kind spirit and dedication to her many, many students.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College, PA.

Memorial service will follow the visitation at 3 p.m., with Phil Potter officiating and Pastor David Hersh leading family and friends in prayer.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Tunnel to Towers by visiting  www.T2T.org or Centre County PAWS www.centercountypaws.org.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.