Miriam L. Potter, nee Wenzel, of Elmhurst, passed away recently at the age of 86. Beloved wife of the late Don R. Potter; loving mother of John and David; cherished grandmother of Samantha and Madeleine; sister of the late James Wenzel and Don Wenzel.
A great teacher takes a long time to realize her skills. A loving mom somehow understands what it means and takes to be a nurturing soul. She does what she teaches and instinctually is a wonderful mom.
Miriam is a retired learning disabilities teacher with a master degree in education. She started her teaching career in Tucson, Ariz. She raised two sons, John and David, with her husband Don Potter. She is patient, kind and curious diplomatic with a warm glowing smile. She started a pre-school service at the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church sometime in the 60’s. Her father was a Presbyterian minister in Minnesota and her mother was a teacher specializing in Biology – very unusual in those times. She was an Elder at the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, is a lifetime member of AAUW, a Silver Measure Award winner for her dedicated efforts to the Elmhurst Symphony. She always enjoyed a great concert by the Elmhurst Symphony. She played the harpsichord and organ and took lessons for the harpsichord for quite some time in retirement. After her lessons she would visit with her aging Aunt Harriet whose birthday is January 13, the same day Miriam passed away.
Recently, she traveled to St. Kitts in the West Indies and discovered “Amazing Grace,” a favorite song of hers. She enjoyed traveling and took an excursion to the South Pole with her friend Stanley Vachta who was a tremendous individual for Miriam and the Potter family. She contributed to the Elmhurst community with lots of zeal and developed many fond relationships. Miriam lived the life of Faith, Hope, and Charity. She contributed to many charities with small contributions to many such as the YMCA’s Camp Rainbow, Nature’s Wildlife Foundation, Heifer International, Golden Years, VFW, Pacific Gardens, Streetwise, and others. She enjoyed baseball games at Cubs Park, Sox Park, the DuPage County Cougars and the recently-formed Chicago Dogs and many Little League baseball games in Elmhurst, along with high school basketball since her husband, a career teacher, was also a baseball and basketball coach. She enjoyed nature hiking and rafting on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. She was an avid reader. Miriam is a great loss to her family and the community. She will be missed with loving fondness.
Memorial service was held at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 S. Spring Rd., on Friday, January 26, 2019. Private interment Mt. Emblem Cemetery. Please send contributions to The Synod of Lakes and Prairies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2115 Cliff Dr., Eagan, MN 55122-3327, in c/o Miriam & Reverend Eldon Wenzel. Arrangements provided Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 S. Spring Rd., Elmhurst. For more info call 630-834-3515 or visit ahlgrim.com.
