Kathleen Potterfield Obituary
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – With great love and sadness, the family of Kathleen (nee Killeen) Potterfield announces her passing on April 9, 2022, at Brandywine Assisted Living in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.
Born April 1, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY, Kathleen moved to Staten Island as a young child and remained a lifelong resident of Oakwood and an active member of her community, including of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.
Kathleen is predeceased by her loving husband Arthur, beloved sons Thomas and John, brothers Martin, James, Joseph, Michael, and Thomas Killeen, parents Martin Killeen and Mary Hansen, and son-in-law Lawrence Delmar. Adored by her family, she is survived by her daughter Diane Delmar, daughter Mary Ernst and son-in-law James Ernst, daughter-in-law Donna Potterfield, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Kathy also cherished many special relationships with her sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and friends.
Dedicated to supporting her disabled son, John, Kathleen and her late husband, Arthur, were one of the six founding families of Eden II Programs established in 1976. In the 1970s, Staten Island did not have a school that could appropriately educate and support children with autism and other special needs. The founding families devoted their lives to this effort, tirelessly fundraising and garnering public support for Eden II. Their hard work, passion, and extraordinary caring for the children in the region set the foundation for the school that exists today and currently serves over 500 children and their families.
Kathleen served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Eden II from 1978-1980 and 1982-1984, and she was once awarded the honor of Staten Island's Woman of the Year. Additionally, through her outreach and efforts, Kathy is credited with assisting the establishment of The National Batten Disease Registry in 1987 at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities. The registry identifies families with Batten disease and provides a computerized central data bank of clinical information for clinicians and researchers.
While her legacy and impact have reached countless lives across New York, Kathy's personal legacy remains a gift for all those who knew her. She was the beloved matriarch of a large family, always supporting her children and grandchildren, giving of herself tirelessly. She enjoyed doing crosswords, going out to lunch, and a great glass of red wine. Despite enduring many trials throughout her life, her fiery and resilient spirit forever resounded with a quick laugh, a commitment to her principles, and an undying fight for those she loved. Her family takes comfort knowing she is reunited with her dear family that passed before her, along with a farm full of dogs and cats.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to the Eden II Adult Services Building Fund, 95 Wright St., S.I., N.Y., would be appreciated.
