Obituary of Florence Rose Potoka

Florence Rose Testa Potoka, age 95 of Mount Pleasant, PA, died unexpectedly Tuesday, 9/8/2020, at her home. Mrs. Potoka was born Sept. 21, 1924 in Mount Pleasant, PA, the daughter of the late Anthony and Michaelina Fasano Testa. She was a member of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church. Florence was a 1942 graduate of the former Ramsay High School. She was a WWII wife to Bill Potoka. They got married on April 30, 1943 at Camp Mackall, NC, where he was in Paratrooper Training. During the War, she supported the war effort while working at Robertshaw Controls, sizing brass ammunition casings. After the war, Florence was Bill’s inspiration and bookkeeper during his early years in business at Potoka’s Atlantic which eventually expanded to Potoka’s Service, Inc. After raising her children, she entered college at the age of 41, taking classes at St. Vincent and receiving her degree in Elementary Education from Seton Hill College. She taught all subjects to third and fourth grade students, a double grade classroom with 54 students, at Visitation Elementary School for 20 years. Florence faithfully nursed and cared for Bill for 6 years after he suffered his stroke. She was a dedicated fan of Youth sports and Mount Pleasant Area School sports. She was always there to support her Grandchildren, attending everything from sporting events and cheerleading to Christmas plays and proms. She could be heard shouting at a wrestling official “he’s pinned” when one of her Grandsons had their opponent on his back. She enjoyed every event and started the cycle over again with her Great-grandchildren’s musicals, plays and lacrosse games. Florence loved to read, knit and watch her grandkids swim. Going to the casinos with her friends was also high on her list. She had a long, wonderful and full life, and we thank God for that. She is survived by her loving and devoted children; Sandra Coppula and her husband, Donald and William J. Potoka Jr. and his wife, Julie (Urban) Potoka. She will be greatly missed by her beloved grandchildren, whom she adored; William J. Potoka III, Drs. Douglas Potoka and his wife, Karin (Plummer), Drs. Lisa (Coppula) Hughes and her husband, Thomas, Christopher Potoka and his wife, Tara (Struble) and Brad Coppula and by her great-grandchildren, Katherine Hughes, Elizabeth Hughes, Cody Potoka, Madison Potoka, Mia Coppula, Colbie Potoka, Jackson Potoka , Sophie Coppula, Ava Coppula and Grant Potoka. In addition to her parent, Florence was preceeded in death by her husband Bill and by her brothers and sisters; Mary Kundrick, Martin Testa, Joseph Testa, Jennie Snyder, and Frank Testa. A private viewing will be held for her immediate family. Family and friends are invited to attend Florence’s Funeral Mass on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 at 11:00A.M. at St. Pius X RC Church, Summit Street, Mt. Pleasant. CDC guidelines for social distancing will be followed and face masks are required. We thank you for your patience and understanding. Interment will follow in the Visitation Parish Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle St., Mt. Pleasant. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Mount Pleasant Public Library, 120 S. Church St., the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, 100 S. Church St. or Mt. Pleasant Medic 10, 100 E. Main St. To offer an online condolence, please visit our website at: www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com