Obituary: Marilyn Carey Potter

July 9, 1934 - August 28, 2013

Marilyn Carey Potter passed away peacefully on August 28, 2013 in Carson City, Nevada after a long illness. She was 79 years old. Born July 9, 1934, in Detroit MI, Marilyn moved to Las Vegas with her parents, Homer and Irene Carey, and her brothers, Paul and Michael in 1947. Her parents built Sleepy Hollow Trailer Park at Five Points in North Las Vegas, where she attended 5th Street Grammar School. Then as a student at Las Vegas High School she was a member of the Latin Club and Chemistry Club. In 1951 she was chosen Miss North Las Vegas for Helldorado week. An excellent student, Marilyn graduated in 1952 and went to the University of Arizona, Tuscon, where she earned a degree in education. While in college she was a member of a campus sorority and worked avidly for Barry Goldwater’s presidential campaign.

Marilyn returned to Las Vegas after graduation, married a local banker, John Potter, and had three children, Beth, Matthew and Rebecca. In addition to raising her family, she taught in the Las Vegas schools for over a decade. She and John were part of the Las Vegas Kennel Club and enjoyed breeding and showing Irish Setters. She was an active member of PEO.

In the early 70s she left Las Vegas and moved with her children to Santa Barbara, California where she embarked on several business endeavors, including the ownership of a worm farm. She later relocated to Nevada County, CA, where she invested in gold mines, real estate, dabbled in farming, and became a fixture at Peterson’s Corner, a local gathering place. She was a patron of the arts, and a season ticket holder to the San Francisco Opera.

Wishing to return to the desert, Marilyn moved to Carson City in 1997 and began work on renovating the home she purchased. She cared for her mother Irene Carey for two years until Irene’s death. She combined business endeavors with travel and visits with her children and grandchildren. In recent years she greatly enjoyed spending time on the porch of her Carson City home with her dog, Lydia.

Marilyn is survived by her three children, Elisabeth St. James, Matthew Potter, Rebecca Potter; her younger brother, Michael Carey; and her grandchildren, Anastasia Barfield, Seth Barfield, Evelyn Potter and Tahlia Potter. Arrangements made through Walton’s Mortuary in Carson City, the memorial service will be held at Bunkers Memory Park Cemetery Chapel, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Rd., Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, September 8th at 11am.

She will be missed.