Ann Potter ’76

Born on: 10/28/1954

Passed on: 03/27/2012

Potter, Ann Cruice passed peacefully on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, in Minneapolis, ten months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Ann was born in Morrison, Illinois on October 28,1954, the daughter of Barbara and Robert Potter. She graduated from Morrison High School in 1972, earned a BA in political science from Carleton College in 1976 and later, received a MBA in Marketing from the University of Minnesota. Encouraged by her parents and extended family, Ann grew to love taking on new adventures, especially meeting and learning about different cultures around the globe. In high school, Ann travelled to Costa Rica as an AFS exchange student. In college, Ann studied international relations in Geneva before traveling across Europe, including stops in Greece, Germany, Scandinavia and the British Isles. In her twenties, Ann spent time with Peace Corps friends in West Africa and since then, she spent every vacation travelling. For twenty years, Ann wrote strategic marketing plans for an eclectic mix of businesses as the proprietor of Ann Potter and Associates. For the past five years, she used her well-developed research and writing skills as a litigation paralegal for Best & Flanagan law firm. Music was a part of Ann’s soul. She sang in choirs for many years, including Calliope, stepping forward as a soloist with an all women’s jazz ensemble, Simpatica. Ann also sang with The Mill City Mix, an a’capella quartet. Later, she studied and performed improvisational jazz, often noting that, “it teaches us to be true to right now.” Ann was fond of a good deal and would always brake for yard sales or thrift stores. She loved the Girl Scouts, tall trees, down pillows and chocolate ice cream. Ann adored hearing stories about courageous people taking risks. Ann used her irreverent sense-of- humor and quick wit to make people laugh. Ann was blessed with an extraordinary medical team during her illness. Special thank-you’s are extended to Dr. Praveen Baimeedi, Dr. Mark Gavin and his nurse Joan, Yvonne from Park Nicollet’s Hospice and the staff of North Residential Hospice. Ann is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her partner, Kris Holmes of Minneapolis; sister, Sally Potter of Lansing, Michigan; brother, Tom Potter (Nancy) of Sterling, Illinois; nephews, Jackson Potter (Rachel Penczykowski) of Atlanta, Georgia, and John Potter of Sterling, Illinois and an extended community of musicians, loving friends and co-workers. There will be a private service of remembrance. A memorial fund has been established to provide scholarships for students of vocal improvisation. Contributions may be mailed to the Potter Fund 4 Music, P.O. Box 7327, Powderhorn Station, Minneapolis MN 55407.

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