Marianne Potts Obituary
Marianne Potts (Case) passed away on August 1, 2021 in her home in Byron Center, MI at the age of 74. She was surrounded by her family. Marianne is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Larry; her children and their spouses, John and Tracy Naklizki, Greg and Tricia Potts; and her six grandchildren, Alaina, Carson, Colin, Connor, Kacey, and Kyle. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Martha, and her younger sister, Becky.
Marianne was born on December 8, 1946 in southeastern Ohio. The family relocated to Brook Park, OH when she was young, but she never gave up her love of Kennedy's Bakery in Cambridge. In 1968, she met Larry, a young service advisor from William's Ford, who used his customer service skills to get a date with her. Their whirlwind courtship resulted in a wedding the day before her 22rd birthday & their courtship continued throughout the decades. Soon after the wedding, she met Jean. Unbeknownst to them at the time, their friendship would endure and grow for more than 50 years.
Marianne and Larry raised their family in Berea, OH. It was there that she passed on her love of "Days of Our Lives" to Greg and Tracy. She never missed attending one of her kid's concerts or sporting events and was frequently the chaperone. Her work for Bridgestone/Firestone didn't prevent her from turning their home into the hang out place for all the neighborhood kids. While most people choose to retire to warmer weather, Marianne wanted to be close to her last grand baby, Kyle, so up to Michigan she went. Her grandparenting skills are legendary. She would show up at the airport over an hour early to meet Alaina and Carson when they would fly in for an extended summer stay. She also famously spoiled the Naklizki kids running a made-to-order breakfast bar before she got them off to school. The grandkids could count on Grandma being there for all their big moments, whether it was down the street or across the country.
Marianne's 25-year cancer battle didn't define her. Instead, her life was defined by her fierce loyalty to her faith, her family, and her friends. All who knew Marianne are better because of it.
Memorial donations can be made to Faith Hospice or the Helping Hands program at Carlisle UMC.
