Eleanor Mae (Parsons) Potter

Torrington- Eleanor Mae Potter - wife, mother, small business owner, and creative - passed away Monday, January 6, 2025 at the age of 95. She will be sadly missed.

        She was the beloved wife, for 72 years, to the late John E. Potter Jr., whom she first met in childhood, as next door neighbors.

        Eleanor was born in Torrington on March 8, 1929, the only child of the late Maurice and Hazel (Roys) Parsons, and had been a lifelong city resident. As a young woman, she attended the University of Connecticut, and received a bachelors degree in Home Economics. Eleanor infused her life with creativity. An expert and accomplished seamstress and tailor, who sewed her own wedding and bridesmaids gowns, and clothes for her seven children. She also won numerous ribbons through the years at quilt shows for her stunning, crafted, creations. In high school her sewing ability was already so advanced that she was asked to make a prom gown for her sewing teacher’s family. She taught tailoring for many years at the Litchfield County Extension Service and for Adult Evening Education. She was a longtime member of Hearthside Quilters, and for more than 50 years was active with the Torringford Homemakers club. The floors of the Potter home were graced by the wool rugs that she braided. Eleanor knew and practiced the old homesteading arts of home and hearth. The family enjoyed many a summer peach and tomato throughout the winter thanks to Eleanor’s canning of the summer garden bounty, stored on the cellar stairs. While raising her children, and caring for her mother and father-in-law, she also, alongside her parents, operated Parsons Puppy Palace and Parsons Restaurant, and later, Eleanor’s Fabrics. In her earlier years, she had been employed by Mertz Department Store, the Torrington Register newspaper, and the Warrenton Mill Store.

        She leaves behind three sons, Jeffrey E. Potter and his wife Bonnie of Newburyport, MA., James E. Potter and his wife Patricia of Torrington, and Jay E. Potter of Torrington, three daughters, Janis E. McConnell and her husband David of Burlington, CT., Jean E. Tyburski and her husband Paul of Somers, CT., Joan E. Thibault and her husband Rene of Bristol, CT., a daughter in-law Sofia Potter Steiner of Chesapeake, VA., 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Eleanor was predeceased by her beloved eldest son, John E. Potter III.

        Funeral services will be held Friday, January 17, 2025, at 11:00a.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Torrington. Friends may call Friday, January 17, 2025 from 10:00a.m. until the time of services.

        Memorial contributions may be made to the Torrington Library Association, 12 Daycoeton Place, Torrington, CT 06790.

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