It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Theresa Kendall-Potanas, RN, announced her unexpected passing at her home in Lempster, NH, on Sunday, November 26, 2017, from a significant cardiac event.
Born on January 19, 1955, to Watson and Margaret Kendall, she was raised in Strafford, VT. She loved living in Vermont and swore she would never leave the Green Mountain State. She remained a resident until 2005, when she was swooned by her husband and moved to Lempster, NH.
Mary is survived by her husband, P. Mark Potanas; her son, Nicholas (Kit) Burnham, daughter Ginger (Timothy) Kennedy, step-son Christopher (Robyn) Potanas, step-daughter Erin (Christian) Bortel; her sister Beckie (Paul) Raymond, her brother Eugene (Nancy) Kendall, and her brothers Christopher Kendall and Scott Kendall. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren: Jaden Sanborn, Kayla and Rylee Burnham; Aiden, Ethan and Teagan Kennedy; Gabriel, Elijah and Alexander Bortel; and Connor Potanas, as well as numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary is preceded in death by her father Watson John Kendall and mother Margaret Elizabeth Kendall.
Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. She was immensely proud of both of her children and loved all of her grandchildren dearly. Mary never let anything stop her, yet always had compassion to spare. Her family, friends and colleagues knew they could count on her for any reason. She will be missed beyond measure by all.
Having earned her nursing degree in July 1994, Mary held several positions between New Hampshire and Vermont in the medical fields, most recently working at ArborView in Newport/Claremont, NH, and Community Resources for Justice out of Keene. She was gifted with the ability to work compassionately and effectively with all her clients, including those with mental and physical disabilities. She was known for being a strong advocate for all of her patients and was always willing to go above and beyond for those down on their luck. She saw the best in everyone and tried always to make sure her patients felt that compassion.
Please join the family at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St. Claremont, NH on Saturday, December 2nd, between 1:00 and 4:00pm.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in her name be made to the Vermont Police Canine Association c/o Emily.VPCA@yahoo.com
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