Obituary of Mollie Potoff

Tucson, AZ – Mollie Potoff, 99, formerly of Waterbury, passed away January 25, 2017 at her home in Tucson, AZ, where she resided for the past 14 years. She was the wife of the late David Potoff who passed away in 1989. Mollie was born March 11, 1917 in West Granville, MA, the daughter of the late Jacob and Sarah (Ominsky) Yarmitzky. She was raised and graduated high school in in Springfield, MA until 1938 when she married her husband and moved to Waterbury. Upon moving to Waterbury, she and her husband became members of a Jewish Orthodox Synagogue on Kingsbury St. When the couple moved to Columbia Blvd. Ext., they became members of Beth El Synagogue on Cooke St. and remained so for 47 years. She was a member of Hadassah for 30 years and had volunteered for Waterbury Hospital for over 20 years visiting and transporting patients. A passionate Mahjong player, Mollie loved to travel, read, play golf and garden as well as visit with her family. Her rose garden on Hecla St. was a labor of love and was admired by all. She shared the bounty of her labor with her neighbors. In her retirement, she became a photographer, producing a beautiful body of work. Mollie is survived by her daughter Reeva Potoff, an artist who resides in New York; her eldest son Ross Potoff, recently retired from the University of Arizona Optical Science Laboratory who resides in Tucson, her younger son Leni Potoff, a painting conservationist and his wife Lauren Uram, a graphic designer; as well as her granddaughter Leah Quang Potoff, all who reside in Brooklyn, New York. Arrangements- A Graveside service will be held on Sunday January 29, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Hebrew Benefit Cemetery in Waterbury. Shiva will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth El Synagogue, 124 S Pomperaug Ave, Woodbury, CT 06798. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury is assisting with arrangements.