Dianne Potter, probate clerk and deputy town clerk, retires Friday
The Town Clerk’s office deals with major life events – births, deaths and marriages. It will have to deal with another major life event come Friday, when Deputy Town Clerk Dianne Potter retires after 22 years in the Town Clerk’s office.
Potter represents one of the longer-serving town hall employees and as probate clerk, she has helped dozens and dozens of EG families at difficult times, dealing with wills and estates and guardianships. Her dedication, according to EG Probate Judge Sam Fleisig, often keeps her working after regular hours.
“She will send me something at 6 at night and I tell her to go home,” recounted Fleisig in a recent interview. “Whatever is necessary, she gets it done.”
Fleisig said Potter knows more than some lawyers who appear before him. “She is one of the most dedicated people I’ve worked with.”
Potter lives in Warwick now, but grew up just a couple blocks away from Town Hall. She’s a member of the EGHS Class of 1972 (and on the committee for that class’s 50th reunion).
“I’ve greatly enjoyed the day-to-day interaction with EG residents, Title Examiners, local attorneys and co-workers,” she said. “I treasure the friendships I have made with many of the employees from all different town departments.”
One of those is Lea Anthony-Hitchen.
“She deserves to be recognized for all her hard work, professionalism, diplomacy and expertise, as she is truly irreplaceable,” Hitchen wrote in an email.
For a local journalist like me, the people in the Town Clerk’s office are vital to helping me do my job. They know a lot about what is going on in town. But as a resident, I’ve experienced up close what it’s like to work with Dianne Potter as she guided my husband and me with considerable patience and compassion through the guardianship process for our son, James, who is developmentally disabled.
In retirement, Potter has plans. She’s looking to delve more deeply into her artistic side, including taking classes to “reacquaint” herself with oil painting, jewelry making, and silversmithing, while continuing her shell, beach glass and stone mosaics. And she wants to kayak “as much of the Rhode Island shoreline as possible” and bike as many R.I. bike paths too. Reading is on her list too, as is – ”if I ever get bored” – possible work as a part-time probate paralegal.
Thanks, Dianne. You will be missed.
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My aunt Dianne has been a great asset to the town for over 20 years and we wish her a peaceful and enjoyable transition into her next ventures in art and beyond. Xo ~ Dantas Family
Dianne has been my best friend since kindergarten at Eldredge School.
Dianne excels at everything she does and is loved and respected by all who know her. Not only was she the best of the best of Deputy Town Clerks, Dianne is very much an accomplished artist. And a woman of many interests and hobbies.
I am very excited and happy for Dianne’s next chapter in her life and Stephen and I wish Dianne and Allen all the best.
Dianne is well respected and revered by many in East Greenwich , and beyond . She is known for her dedication, tireless long hours of probate work on behalf of many in town. Her work as noted previously by those in judicial office, is thoroughly done with the utmost attention to detail and professionalism, with respect for all. The town of East Greenwich has been fortunate to have her efforts represent them on many levels, for many years. May you thoroughly enjoy a well deserved retirement , doing what you wish , from artistic endeavors to kayaking the waters of Narragansett Bay ….ENJOY!!!!
Congrats Dianne!
I hope you will keep your “Green Thumb” for us at the Senior Center!
I’ve had many interactions with Dianne over the years as an attorney and she has always been friendly and helpful. When Covid hit we as attorneys had to call her directly to make appointments to record. Every time I called I felt bad for bothering her and every time she answered she was kind and patient. Thank you Dianne, you’ll be missed!!
Congratulations on your retirement. A great job well done.
ENJOY your upcoming endeavors