Mary Lou passed away on Wednesday May 31, 2023 in her 93rd year. She is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Jack and her partner of 10 years, Art. She leaves behind her children Paul (France), Susan (Duff), Karen, Bruce and Jean (Chris). She is greatly missed by her grandchildren John, Tessa (Cameron), Sierra (Mike), Emily (Adam), Morgan, Kally (Xavier) and Teagan, and treasured by her great grandchildren, Jack, Gavin, Rhys and Harper.
Mary Lou raised five rambunctious kids in a very busy household; beginning in Niagara Falls, and then five years later on Little John Road in Dundas. Mom dedicated herself to her children and our life together. We lacked for nothing and fondly remember the simple things and the profound life lessons she shared with us.
As one of the earliest members of St. Mark’s United Church, mom and dad served the church as their family grew. We remember mom serving in the United Church Women organization, St. Mark’s nursery school, daycare and choir. She was always ready to lend a hand whether at a rummage sale or the children’s movie day.
Mary Lou was an avid quilter, bridge player, square dancer, swimmer and world traveller. She was never idle and enjoyed cottage life, whether in Niagara-on-the-Lake as a child, Lake of Bays, or most recently Kennisis Lake in Haliburton with all of her children and grandchildren.
In more recent years, mom resided briefly at Creekside Condominiums in Dundas, then the Arboretum in Guelph with her former high school sweetheart, Art Hemstreet. We feel blessed that she and Art shared 10 wonderful and adventurous years together until Art’s passing 3 years ago. Most recently, mom resided at Burlington Gardens in Aldershot where she took on the job of ‘official welcomer’ to new residents. She enjoyed the new people she met and made many wonderful and cherished friendships.
Mom leaves a legacy of caring and loving kindness toward the people in her life; whether it was her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, or husband Jack, partner Art, or all her sons and daughter-in laws. She demonstrated continuous devotion for our well being and happiness. We are all blessed to have had such a wonderful person in our lives.
The family would like to thank the Stroke and Palliative Care Team at the Hamilton General Hospital for their professionalism and care so that mom could pass peacefully and with dignity.
A celebration of life at St. Mark’s United Church in Dundas will take place at 2pm on Saturday June 24, 2023. A visitation at 1pm will precede the celebration of life, and a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers we ask you to consider a donation to Men’s Street Ministry at www.menstreetministry.ca
As we release you into God’s care we want you to know that all of your family is in a good place and we are grateful for having you in our lives.
…And I will dwell
in the house of the Lord
forever
Psalm 23
Dear Karen
So sorry you had to say goodbye to your Mom.
I hope you have comfort in knowing she is in God’s care.
Love and prayers for you and you family.
Karen…..your mom sounds like an amazing woman and mother! Her life was full of love and accomplishments. If your siblings are as kind and caring as you, she raised an awesome family! Praying for special peace for all of you as you continue life’s journey without Mom.
Karen – so very sorry to hear of mom’s passing. I have many happy memories of her and your dad . Church activities,choir and square dancing. My condolences to all the family💖
Our sympathies to the Potter family from the Hardings at the loss of a very special friend Mary Lou. From the day we moved to Little John Rd in 1963, the first person to greet and invite us for dinner was Mary Lou. Our families enjoyed many good times, vacations, adventures, church and school activities over the years.
We were blessed to have Mary Lou and family such a part of our life, and continued for over 60 years.
Paul, France, and Morgan, please accept our condolences on the passing of Marylou! She was a real gem! My fondest memories of Marylou are her love for bread with extra butter and trying all the yummy cottage treats! She was incredibly independent and her love for her family stretched to the moon and back!🌹🙏🌼 May she rest in peace!💕
Never easy saying goodbye but she truly had a life full of giving, no matter what. Karen, May each day become one of memories that can be shared with all. Condolences to the family.
Chris & Armin
Such an amazing woman, Karen. She will be close to you always. My heart goes out to you.
Jean, Chris, Kally & Xavier, and Teagan, our condolences to you and the whole Potter family. We only met Mary Lou once at Chris & Jean’s wedding. She was a very nice lady and loved by her family.
I remember when she and Art moved into the room across the hall from me at Arbour Trails. We had many good times together.
Mary Lou was a blessing to our father Art and also to our family. I remember dad telling us that he had reached out to her after 65 years! The rest is now history.
She was a kind and compassionate partner to dad who together provided companionship for one another and had lots of memorable times. Her family is in our thoughts.
Karen & Family-
Please know you are all in our thoughts & prayers – Mary-lou was an incredible partner to Art and for that – we are eternally grateful! She was genuinely kind & always ready with her smile. She will be missed by all who knew her.. Take care.
Xo
Mary Lou brought joy, laughter, and loving companionship to my father during the last 10 years of his life, and provided him with compassionate care and unwavering support during his long illness. My family is deeply grateful for her presence in his life, and so very glad they found each other. Mary Lou embraced our family with an abundance of warmth, generosity and kindness. She and I grew to be fond friends and I will miss her greatly.
I remember the day when Art, introduced me to Mary Lou- his high school friend. He had a huge smile on his face ! They traveled back and forth from Windsor to Hamilton area and created a warm, inviting home wherever they lived.
I look back at some photos I have ( 2010, 2011, 2012 ) and relived many happy times we shared together.
My condolences to all her family members,
Dear Potter Siblings,
Elaine and I were sad to the news that Mary Lou had passed away. I remember great long chats with her, about any topic. She always had just a wonderful smile and sense of happiness in her life. I’m so glad to know that in her last years that she was a “greeter” to new folks that she would connect with in Burlington Gardens. That was the perfect job for Mary Lou! How wonderful that she lived for 93 years, and that you all were so blessed for her to make a imprint on her grandchildren and great-grandcchildrens’ lives. She will be deeply missed.
I offer my sincere condolences to the entire family. As a next door neighbour for nearly 30 years it was a joy to watch Mary Lou with her growing family of children and grandchildren. She always had a ready smile for everyone.There will be lots of happy memories of good times, I am sure, to sustain you at this sad time. My thoughts are with you all.
Karen, Peter and I were so sorry to hear about the passing of your Mother. Cherish all your memories of her and know that are thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I am so sad to hear the news of the passing of your dear mom. Your mom and dad were one of the first neighbours that our family was introduced to when we moved to Little John Road back in the 60’s and they were so welcoming to my parents. I have fond memories of going to St. Marks in Dundas where their presence was a constant and they were always lending a hand. My mom, June, treasured her friendship with Mary Lou and enjoyed their times at church and around the town. She will be in your hearts forever and as time passes the sweet memories of her will help your broken hearts to heal. Gone but never forgotten.
May she Rest In Peace.
My condolences to the entire family and Jean.
Kathy Dowdy