Obituary for Wilfreda G Potts (Gustafson)
Wilfreda “Willie” (Gustafson) Potts, 85, formerly of New Canaan, CT, died peacefully at her home at Southgate Retirement Community, Shrewsbury, MA on February 24, 2020 after a short illness.
Wilfreda was born in Austin, Texas to Wilfred and Margaret (Griffith) Gustafson. She graduated from the University of Texas with degrees in English and Secondary Education. Wilfreda was very proud of her Texas heritage. She was born on March 2, Texas Independence Day, and is the great, great, great, granddaughter of Susanna Dickinson, “Messenger of the Alamo”, the wife of Lt. Almeron Dickinson, who with her infant daughter Angelina, survived the famous fall of the Alamo.
Wilfreda was an active member of the New Canaan Congregational Church for thirty-five years where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She also spent many years singing with the New Canaan Park Street Singers. Wilfreda played piano and was an accompanist for the church children’s choir. Sewing, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and knitting were some of her other talents.
Wilfreda worked for many years as a secretary and office manager for Dr. Edward Denkin, DPM at New Canaan Podiatry. She was a long-time member of The American Association of University Women (AAUW) serving for some time as a local chapter secretary. Vacationing in Rehoboth, Delaware was always a highlight for Wilfreda.
She enjoyed time spent with her beloved children and grandchildren, of whom she was very proud.
Pre-deceased by her husband of fifty-five years, Johnny Mack Potts, Wilfreda is survived by her three children and their spouses, Ann Corral (Tino) of Fort Wayne IN, Mary Dennis (Peter) of Franklin, MA, and John Potts (Taryn) of Silver Spring, MD, and her seven grandchildren, Matthew and Hannah Corral, Hilary and Sophie Dennis, and Avery, Colby, and Griffith Potts. Wilfreda is also survived by her brother, Dickinson Gustafson of Forest City, NC and many relatives and dear friends including her Southgate sweetheart, Richard Bertrand. A private memorial will be held at the family’s convenience in the New Canaan Congregational Church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the AAUW at www.aauw.org.
Wilfreda was born in Austin, Texas to Wilfred and Margaret (Griffith) Gustafson. She graduated from the University of Texas with degrees in English and Secondary Education. Wilfreda was very proud of her Texas heritage. She was born on March 2, Texas Independence Day, and is the great, great, great, granddaughter of Susanna Dickinson, “Messenger of the Alamo”, the wife of Lt. Almeron Dickinson, who with her infant daughter Angelina, survived the famous fall of the Alamo.
Wilfreda was an active member of the New Canaan Congregational Church for thirty-five years where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She also spent many years singing with the New Canaan Park Street Singers. Wilfreda played piano and was an accompanist for the church children’s choir. Sewing, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and knitting were some of her other talents.
Wilfreda worked for many years as a secretary and office manager for Dr. Edward Denkin, DPM at New Canaan Podiatry. She was a long-time member of The American Association of University Women (AAUW) serving for some time as a local chapter secretary. Vacationing in Rehoboth, Delaware was always a highlight for Wilfreda.
She enjoyed time spent with her beloved children and grandchildren, of whom she was very proud.
Pre-deceased by her husband of fifty-five years, Johnny Mack Potts, Wilfreda is survived by her three children and their spouses, Ann Corral (Tino) of Fort Wayne IN, Mary Dennis (Peter) of Franklin, MA, and John Potts (Taryn) of Silver Spring, MD, and her seven grandchildren, Matthew and Hannah Corral, Hilary and Sophie Dennis, and Avery, Colby, and Griffith Potts. Wilfreda is also survived by her brother, Dickinson Gustafson of Forest City, NC and many relatives and dear friends including her Southgate sweetheart, Richard Bertrand. A private memorial will be held at the family’s convenience in the New Canaan Congregational Church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the AAUW at www.aauw.org.