Claudia R. Potts, 86

Claudia R. Potts, 86, passed away peacefully in Kalispell. She was born Jan. 17, 1938, in Billings to Frank Richey Greene and Rosella Mae (Kelley). She spent her early life in Billings and when she was 7, she went to live with her grandparents, Jim and Inez Mae Kelley. She lived with them in Livingston and graduated from Park County High School.

She went on to graduate with a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Eastern Montana College. She worked in the college business office and was the administrative assistant for the special education department. She worked for the Billings School District for 10 years in the area of special education. During that time, she was president of the local and state Council of Exceptional Children. She also helped establish, Billings Professional Educators. In 1976 she was asked to join four other teachers of special education to come to Washington, D.C., to help write the rules and regulations for PL 94-142. She also helped write the PL 94-142 rules and regulations for the state of Montana. In 1977 Claudia accepted a position in special education at Evergreen School in Kalispell. She consequently became the director of special programs and assisted with special education in two other school districts as well.

Claudia retired and turned her energies to community volunteering. She was active in the Lakeside Community Club for many years in a variety of roles. One project she was most happy with was the Frosty Project. This was the drawing, painting and placing of colorful snowmen in the west shore of Flathead Lake. She supported the West Shore Community Library as a volunteer librarian and on the board. She taught tai chi at the Lakeside Chapel into her early 80's. She was completely devoted to her schnauzers. She had four over her lifetime and each one was special to her in their own way. She was also involved in the Red Hats Society. She was loved by so many and will never be forgotten

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Fandrich; three grandchildren, Derrick (Megan) Fandrich, Ashley (Shane) Correll and Nicholas (Kimberly) Fandrich; three great-granddaughters, Alexa, Briana, and Caroline; and one great-grandson, Alexander.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, sister, and her beloved husband. 

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Lakeside Community Chapel. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.