ROWLEY, MA — Barbara Jane (MacMillan) Potts passed away, Monday, January 28th, 2013. She was the beloved wife of 46 years to the late Thomas J. Potts, Jr. who passed in January 2011.
Barbara was born on September 2, 1928 in Plainfield NJ, the daughter of Earle R. and Jessie B. (Winter) MacMillan.
She grew up attending schools in Westfield, NJ, where she graduated from Westfield High School where she met the love of her life Tom. Barbara, Tom and family moved to Rowley in 1956.
When her children were young, Barbara was involved in many activities including Cub Scouting (as a den mother), Garden Club, and she really enjoyed playing Bridge. She taught square dancing to the junior high classes at Pine Grove School for two years. It was commonplace for her to be seen driving a car full of children from the neighborhood to various activities.
Square Dancing and Round Dancing were a big part of her life with Tom where together they taught Square and Round Dancing for over 30 years within the New England area and locally with the Barnstormers Square Dance Club. In the summer, Barbara often hosted Square Dancing nights at her home on Fenno Drive by transforming their two-car garage into a dancing area. Later they organized and held a week long Square/Round Dance Family Camp for many years. She was an active member of several square and round dance clubs/associations where together with Tom they held many key offices. They were part of the group that incorporated the Square Dance Foundation of New England, Inc. She was the co-president of the New England Council of Square Dance callers for several years.
Barbara received the prestigious Yankee Clipper Award of Service to the New England Square and Round Dance community. In 1998, she was inducted into the Square Dance Foundation of New England Hall of Fame. She was part of a group of callers invited to “Legacy,” a national group of dancers, callers and cuers.
In Barbara’s later years, she spent many wonderful hours swimming at the YWCA pool in Newburyport and playing Bridge with her friends.
Barbara is pre-deceased by her husband Thomas J. Potts Jr. and her eldest son Thomas J. Potts III who passed away unexpectedly this past November. She is survived by: her brother Edward R. MacMillan and his wife Barbara of Flemington, NJ; and her sister-in-law Mary Lang and her husband Dixon of Bradenton, FL; her children: Edward R. Potts and his wife Yvonne of Hampton, VA; Jane E. Harris of Rowley, MA; Amy D. Walker and her husband Bob of Roseburg, OR; James D. Potts and his wife Kimberly of Amesbury, MA; and her daughter-in-law Christine West of Wakefield, MA; and her grandchildren; Kelleigh Bland and her husband Steve; Bobby Potts and his wife Dana; John Harris, Justin Potts, Joshua Potts and his wife Laura, and Jacob Potts, and she blessed with 6 great-grand children.
She will be remembered fondly by her grandchildren for her great advice, her loving smile and the fun times they had playing with the old toys she saved from when her children were little, most of all they loved playing cards, games and building tent forts in the living room.
ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Square Dance Foundation of New England, Inc., c/o Anna Dixon, President, 238 Woburn Street, Reading, MA 01867. Arrangements by F.S. Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Rowley. For information or to send condolences please visit www.fsrobertsandson.com
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
