Carlla E. (Warnock) Potts

Carlla E. (Warnock) Potts, 80, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2022, at home with the help of Hospice of Southern Maine, her daughters, and son-in-law. She was born on October 28, 1941, in Massachusetts, to Francis Williston Warnock and Gertrude Lillian (Stewart) Warnock. She spent her formative years in Montana.

She married United States Coast Guardsman Bill Potts and traveled the country as a military spouse, talented homemaker, and devoted mother. After retiring from the military, the Potts family returned to Portland, Maine. Carlla proudly earned her High School Diploma as an adult in 1983 and worked as a receptionist for the television station WGME in Portland.

Carlla and Bill enjoyed camping, making dollhouses, and furnishing them (including one that was donated to the Ronald McDonald House and another to The Museum Guild, the fund-raising arm of the Portland Museum of Art). She also served her community as a volunteer and eventually became the directress of Project FEED (Food Emergency Exchange Depot). Carlla returned to church later in life, becoming an active parishioner and directress of the altar guild at Trinity Episcopal Church, developing deep friendships and a spiritual home.

Carlla will be remembered for her obsession with all things “fiber arts,” passion for cooking and creation of amazing family meals, sharp sense of humor, and unending love of animals.

Carlla was predeceased by her husband, Senior Chief Petty Officer William T. Potts; son, Russell “Rusty” W. Potts; mother, Gertrude Stewart Warnock; and cousin, Ruth M. (Howley) Coppola of Massachusetts. She is survived by her adorable Yorkshire Terrier, “Ginger Cinnamon Cookie”; daughter Kathleen F. Potts of New York; and daughter Julia Tiffany (Potts) Rancourt and husband Duane Rancourt, Jr. of Scarborough, Maine; as well as cousins Susan Coppola and husband Kevin Montgomery; Bill Coppola and his wife Pat; Janet Coppola Walker and her husband Josh; Shane Coppola and his wife Marcia; and grandnephew Allen Moore and his wife Misty. 

Her Celebration of Life service will take place at Trinity Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Avenue, Portland, Maine on August 24, 2022, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of Southern Maine or Trinity Episcopal Church.

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