Corinne J. Potter

Rock Island, Illinois
Our sweet, loving, and precious mother, Corinne J. Potter, of Rock Island, took her first steps into Heaven on Saturday, March 23, 2013. By our faith in Jesus we know we will one day be reunited with her. Visitation is 4:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline. Services are 10:00 am Friday at First Congregational Church, Moline, with the Reverend Jacqueline Perry officiating. Burial is in Rock Island Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or Habitat for Humanity.
Corinne was born on February 2, 1930 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the daughter of the Reverend Vernon H. MacNeill and Beatrice Amanda (Demaray) MacNeill. Along with her sister Genevieve, the family moved several times before settling in Rock Island in 1937, where Corinne completed high school. She graduated from Augustana College in 1952 and was a member of the Augustana Choir that sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City under the direction of the celebrated director, Dr. Henry Veld. Music was always a part of Corinne's life; she had a piano in her home and would play and sing regularly. She was a member of several choirs over the years, notably the Handel Oratorio Society and the Chancel Choir at First Congregational Church, singing in a lovely soprano or alto voice. In addition to her degree from Augustana, she received a Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois in 1976.
Corinne's chosen profession was librarianship, working for 20 years at St. Ambrose University, retiring as director in 1997. Previously she was employed at Rock Island Public Library, first as a high school student and then as a Children's and Reference Librarian from 1968 - 74.
Corinne was an active member of First Congregational Church, teaching adult education classes, serving on various committees, and singing in the choir since 1979. She was a member of Zonta, Rock Island Preservation Society, and the Rock Island County Historical Society. She volunteered for several causes, including Habitat for Humanity, World Relief, Friends of the RI Public Library, and traveled to the gulf coast to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Corinne married William B. Potter on August 11, 1951. They had five children who love her dearly, all of whom survive her: Caroline (Don) Morrow, Flower Mound, TX, Melanie (Doug) McNeil, Marietta, GA, Theodore (Anne) Potter, Iowa City, IA, William B. Potter II, Raleigh, NC, Ellen (John) McBride, Blue Grass, IA. Nine grandchildren: Matthew (Toni) Morrow, Aaron (Gracie) Morrow, Michael Douglas and Kimberly Rebecca McNeil, Lindsay, Emily and Jaime McBride, Elizabeth and Ben Potter, and two great-granddaughters, Chelsey and Alyssa Highly. She is also survived by her sister, Genevieve (Kenneth) Peterson of Delaware, OH.
The family invites you to share stories and condolences and light a candle in Corinne?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.