Deborah L. Potter
May 22, 1955 ~ March 22, 2023
Deborah Potter passed away peacefully early on the morning of March 22, 2023, in Reston, Virginia after a seven year battle with colorectal cancer. Her loving husband, Irving R. Potter, was standing by as he wished his wife of 35 years a heartfelt goodbye, relieved that her suffering was over.
Debbie was born in Milford, New Hampshire on May 22, 1955, the daughter of George J. Dutton and Carol A. Dutton. After graduating from Milford Area Senior High School, Debbie embarked on a career in the restaurant industry. Most notably, she managed The Timbers, a steak and seafood restaurant in Sanibel Island, Florida; held various management positions with Pizza Hut (YUM! Brands); and retired from PF Chang’s in 2017. Debbie had an engaging and dynamic personality and provided strong leadership wherever she was employed.
Debbie met her husband Irv while working for Pizza Hut. Debbie and Irv were married in November 1987. They worked all over the country. The couple lived in Arizona and Texas before moving to Plant City, Florida to care for Debbie’s mother.
Debbie enjoyed travel, as evidenced by the over 40 cruises that she and Irv took over the years. She cruised in Alaska, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal. She loved the beach, and she called Longboat Key, Florida and Duck, North Carolina her ‘happy places.’
Mrs. Potter’s greatest joy was spending time with friends and family. She always went out of her way to make every get-together a fun-filled event.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Irving R. Potter of Reston, Virginia; stepson William Nacewicz and wife Miranda Kavanagh of Westfield, Massachusetts; brother Stephen J. Dutton and wife Pamela of Vienna, Virginia; nieces Kimber A. Seymour and husband John of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Stephanie J. Steward and husband Jerry of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; nephews Stephen C. Dutton and wife Jennifer of New York, New York, and Scott C. Dutton and wife Coco of Arlington, Virginia; grandnieces and nephews Dylan, Eliza, Charles, Waverly, Riley, Hazel and Harper; cousins David Camp of Swanzey, New Hampshire, and Amy Agnelli and husband Kevin of Port St. Lucie, Florida and their children Kayti and Travis.
Debbie had a full and generous heart and an unparalleled zest for life. She will be missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known and loved her.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park Street NE, Vienna, Virginia on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the MD Anderson Cancer Center at gifts.mdanderson.org
Debbie was born in Milford, New Hampshire on May 22, 1955, the daughter of George J. Dutton and Carol A. Dutton. After graduating from Milford Area Senior High School, Debbie embarked on a career in the restaurant industry. Most notably, she managed The Timbers, a steak and seafood restaurant in Sanibel Island, Florida; held various management positions with Pizza Hut (YUM! Brands); and retired from PF Chang’s in 2017. Debbie had an engaging and dynamic personality and provided strong leadership wherever she was employed.
Debbie met her husband Irv while working for Pizza Hut. Debbie and Irv were married in November 1987. They worked all over the country. The couple lived in Arizona and Texas before moving to Plant City, Florida to care for Debbie’s mother.
Debbie enjoyed travel, as evidenced by the over 40 cruises that she and Irv took over the years. She cruised in Alaska, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal. She loved the beach, and she called Longboat Key, Florida and Duck, North Carolina her ‘happy places.’
Mrs. Potter’s greatest joy was spending time with friends and family. She always went out of her way to make every get-together a fun-filled event.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Irving R. Potter of Reston, Virginia; stepson William Nacewicz and wife Miranda Kavanagh of Westfield, Massachusetts; brother Stephen J. Dutton and wife Pamela of Vienna, Virginia; nieces Kimber A. Seymour and husband John of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Stephanie J. Steward and husband Jerry of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; nephews Stephen C. Dutton and wife Jennifer of New York, New York, and Scott C. Dutton and wife Coco of Arlington, Virginia; grandnieces and nephews Dylan, Eliza, Charles, Waverly, Riley, Hazel and Harper; cousins David Camp of Swanzey, New Hampshire, and Amy Agnelli and husband Kevin of Port St. Lucie, Florida and their children Kayti and Travis.
Debbie had a full and generous heart and an unparalleled zest for life. She will be missed by those who were fortunate enough to have known and loved her.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park Street NE, Vienna, Virginia on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the MD Anderson Cancer Center at gifts.mdanderson.org
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Awww Miss Deb. You will be missed. But we will carry on for you with that same zest, fight, and strong willed soul you are. I’ll miss you much. Missing Irv and Skye very much as well. I’ll be grilling in your honor?. I’ll miss our chats and laughs. But I know you are with us. Love you much. Paul C.
Knowing Debbie enhanced my life. She and her husband, Irv, we both warm, gracious and loving friends. My best and God’s Blessings on behalf of her. The peace of God be will sustain her family and friends.
Peace be to Deb & her families. Deb was fun & witty. Her smile would brighten a room & lift your spirits. Always so warm & welcoming, making you feel comfortable, at ease & part of the conversation, action & event. So much energy. A heart of gold.
My time with Deb & her family was brief. Everlasting memories were gained.
The power of today’s social media reconnected us from the past. It was nice to catch up & revive our friendship. Many Blessings, Peace & Prayers towards her families.
God Be with You All … LeAnne (Lee Lee/Buhr) Miller
Dave and are are heartbroken to hear of Deb’s passing. We’re remembering happier times. Derby Day circa 2016. Sail on Deb. All our love to Irv as you navigate life without her. ❤️
Irv and family, Wishing you love to bring comfort, the courage to face the days ahead and happy memories to forever hold in your hearts. Our deepest condolences, Kevin and Susan Jowders Jean
Even though it has been years since we have gotten together, up here in NH, the memories of Debbie’s full of Life personality will never be forgotten. Debbie lived across the street with Steve for some time and we had some great times. We asked Debbie to be in our wedding in 1981. She was so much fun in all situations.
Irv your right, one day we will all be together for eternity. What a wonderful day that will be!! Sending Prayers for you Irv and the Family, there will have a space in their heart missing. ♥️ Love, Lynda (Bates) Douglas and Freddi Douglas
Debbie and I worked together at P.F. Chang’s, she trained me and taught me everything I needed to know in those formative years. She was always the life of the party and brought the most beautiful amazing energy into any room she walked into. She will be deeply missed.
The obituary captures Debbie to a T. Engaging and dynamic, that’s her! My years with her in Nashua NH were just that. She did go out of her way to make all our Pizza Hut events fun filled and memorable. As Billy Joel sings, ‘Only the good die young.’ She made the most of her time with us and did have an unparalleled zest life. I am glad we met in NH and stayed in touch. Rest in Peace.
My wife and I moved more than our share of times over the years and Deb & Irv were the best next door neighbors and genuine friendly, happy, supportive and helpful people that we were ever Blessed to have.
Heaven is an even happier place today with Deb’s arrival.
We miss you Mrs.Debbie! You have left a long lasting impression on our family. Your kindness and carrying nature was always on display. Thank you for loving Grace and our family. During Covid lockdowns you and Irv found a way to bring joy to our entire neighborhood with your driveway concerts. That is who you and Irv are…loving and selfless. I will always remember your love for everything Christmas, furry friends and the beach. Rest in Peace my friend and I will see you again in Heaven!
Sarita, Adam and Grace Baker
Debbie was so much fun with her feistiness and humor. She was also a generous and good friend you could count on.
Miss you, Debbie.
Love, Margarete
Debbie, you live in my heart and my memories. I thank the Lord for bringing you into my life, because you filled it with so much happiness, fun, and spirit. No one I know lived life to its fullest like you. You were an inspiration to me and so many others, and I will deeply miss the times I was so lucky to share life with you.
I will always remember Debbie as one of the first people I worked with at Yum! Brands. She was real and easy to work with, very generous and kind. I’m forever thankful for the privilege of knowing her and Irv.
Q: Where did Deborah like to travel?
A: Debbie & Irv, thanks for all the funny,, the fun, the wonderful memories & cruises. Toasting to the memories with our special cruise drink, the infamous BBC! Never had bar service like when we traveled with you all. Never ran out of lobster on a cruise either! Ha! Good people are hard to find & we value & appreciate you all & your friendship. Many wonderful memories & much sadness for your loss, Irv. We will and have missed you all.
Lisa & Jim Parrish