Shirley Duffy Potts, 84, died Sunday evening, May 4, at her home in Winchester. surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles E. Potts, Jr. She is remembered fondly by many friends and colleagues, and is survived by her children, Charles F. of Winchester MA, Jennifer L. of Manhattan NY and Christopher A. and his wife Kathleen of Andover, and their three sons - Frank, Michael and Matthew. She is also survived by her brother, Robert E. Duffy, and his wife Janet of Jupiter Fla. and Winchester MA.
Shirley was a friend of the community and participated in many civic organizations in Winchester. She loved her volunteer work with The En Ka Society, The Florence Crittenden League, and the Republican Club,, and served in those organizations, both as member and as President. She also became the first female president of the Winchester Rotary Club, and attended Rotary, both in Winchester and in some of the more than 115 countries she visited in retirement with her husband, Charles. For many years, she was both the Secretary to the Winchester School Committee, and worked as the Financial Administrator for the Winchester Public Schools. Her reputation was legendary among the School Principals and Town Manager because she provided budget information at a moment’s notice to the Principals so that school funds could be managed most effectively.
Shirley graduated with distinction from Katharine Gibbs College and went to work immediately for the War Production Board. She then was accepted into the diplomatic corps of the United States Foreign Service, and served in Frankfurt, Berlin and Paris as World War II came to an end. At the Potsdam Conference in July 1945, she and other Foreign Service colleagues provided conference support to President Harry S. Truman, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Communist Party General Secretary Joseph Stalin as they negotiated the post-war structure and policies of a united Germany. She then was posted to Mexico, followed by India, as Vice Consul, Economics Division, where she met Charles. They were married In New Delhi and honeymooned on the ship’s journey home, greeting friends and family in Medford MA with another wedding reception.
Shirley was an avid classical music fan, spending wonderful time with friends going to the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops, the Metropolitan Opera and other numerous musical and stage performances here and around the world. She especially enjoyed Luciano Pavarotti and other tenors, and traveled to concerts of the “Three Tenors” as often as possible.
An inspiration to us all, we hold loving memories of Shirley Potts, and mourn her passing. The Funeral Service is to be held Thursday, May 8th, at 9:00am in the Parish of the Epiphany and will be followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Parish of the Epiphany 70 Church St Winchester MA 01890.