Marcella Lynne Potter

Marcella Lynne Potter, age 70, of Hastings passed away on June 1, 2018 at Thornapple Manor with her daughters and only granddaughter at her side.

Marcella was born on September 12, 1947, in Hastings, Michigan, the daughter of Albert Aaron and Dorothy June (Blough) Gronewold.  She grew up in Freeport, Michigan, and was the youngest of seven children.  She graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High School in 1965 where she was voted "Class Cut-Up" by her classmates.  She had a great sense of humor and loved to make others laugh.  She then graduated from Davenport College in 1966 where she studied business.  After college, she worked at the E. W. Bliss Company in Hastings as she wanted to work where her father did.  She later worked at an employment agency in Grand Rapids and Buskirk Lumber in Freeport.  She was then offered a job during the development of a new transit system for Barry County.  She worked at Barry County Transit from its inception until she retired in 2014 after 33 years of service.

Marcella married Lynn Barry in 1966 and had two daughters, Teresa Lynne, and Jackie Lynn. The marriage ended in divorce.  She later married Bill Potter in 2003 and was also divorced. Her daughters and granddaughter, Jessica, were her whole world and she made them her priority.  She attended school, sporting and other special events for each one of them and was proud of their accomplishments.  She had a great love for her extended family and had special relationships with many of them.  Family time was always fun, spontaneous and full of laughter.  As a family, we all breathe deep and remember all of the things she meant to us.

Marcella was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Dorothy Gronewold, and sister, Marlene Main and Helen Venhuizen.  She is survived by her daughters, Teresa (Bruce) Coenen of Hastings and Jackie Barry of Hastings, granddaughter, Jessica (Logan) Boss, sisters, Marie Sutliff of Olivet, MI, Brenda Williams of Tucson, AZ, Millie (Steve) Venhuizen of Lake City, MI and brother, Dennis (Lois) Gronewold of Ruston, Louisiana.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings.  A Memorial service will follow visitation at 11:00 a.m.  Rev. Carla Smith will officiate the service.  A luncheon will be held at the Thornapple Valley Church in Hastings immediately following the Memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to Thornapple Manor or Great Lakes Caring Hospice.To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net .