Obituary of Ruth Headlee Potter

Ruth Headlee Potter, of Bethesda, Maryland, died peacefully at her home on December 9, 2015 after a short illness. She is survived by a son, Stephen Niles Potter (Ann) of Kenilworth, IL, sisters Nancy Lundberg (Cliff) of Alexandria, VA and Kathleen Marra Butts of Pullman, WA, and grandchildren Claire Howard Potter (John White) of New York, NY and Stephen Patten Potter II of Chicago, IL. She is preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Patten Potter, her parents A.J.W. and Mary Headlee and brothers Linden and David. She was born on March 3, 1926 in Aleppo, PA, lived her early life in Morgantown, WV, and graduated in 1948 from West Virginia University. In 1950, she set out for New York City to establish a career and eventually met her future husband. In 1970, the Potters moved to Washington, DC where she spent the rest of her life. Ruth Potter was a devoted daughter, wife, sister and mother. She was a very accomplished bridge player, achieving the Gold Life Master designation while winning a number of regional and national tournaments. She was a proficient golfer and created beautiful and unusual needlework pieces. She was also active in her community, including lifelong involvement in the 4-H Club of Monongalia County, WV, serving as a trustee of Concord-St. Andrews Church of Bethesda, MD and as a docent at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC. She was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. Her generosity to others is her lasting legacy, whether it be to family, friends or those less fortunate. Her particular focus was the Monongalia County, WV 4-H Camp and she was instrumental in facilitating the completion of the Camp's Dining Hall in 2014. She has also been a strong supporter of camp scholarships over the years. Her family asks that donations in her memory be made to West Virginia University Foundation, One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, Morgantown, WV 26501, for the benefit of Monongalia County 4-H Fund. A private family service will be held in Bethesda, MD at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com