Beryl Anne Potocnik (Retired TDSB) passed away peacefully at the West Parry Sound Health Centre, on Saturday, January 1st, 2022. Age 71 years.

Beloved wife of Tom Potocnik. Loving mother of Jenny McEvoy (Clint), Stephanie Morra (Nicholas), and the late Danny Potocnik (wife Amy-Lynn). Cherished Grandma of Emma, Lilly, Noah, Ella, and Carmen Anne. Dear sister of Brenda Gray (Gord), Campbell Corbet (Kristine), and the late Jane Corbet. Forever remembered by her nieces, nephews, the Potocnik and Corbet families, and her many friends.

Anne was a well-respected teacher at Islington Community School for over 25 years and supported many students and teachers throughout her career – Anne will be fondly remembered in the highest regard.

As was Anne’s wish, cremation has taken place.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to Hope Pregnancy Support Centre, Parry Sound (www.parrysoundhope.com) would be appreciated.

Condolences

Peter and I are so sorry to hear about Anne. Our heartfelt condolences to Tom, family and friends. I so enjoyed our book discussions over the past few years and will miss her greatly.

I am so sad to hear of Anne's passing. We have been friends since teaching together at Hilltop Middle School many years ago. Anne was an amazing teacher of History much to the delight of the students, who loved her approach which brought history to life for them. Monthly we got together for bridge after moving on to different schools and even occupations. After Anne and Tom moved away from the Toronto area, we lost touch. I will never forget her kind heart and her contagious giggle. I know she will be sadly missed by many people.

Dear Tom
My deepest condolences to you and the family on the passing of Ann. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Good bless Dénis and Lisa Tisdel

The Mahadale family sends their dearest condolences to the family of Ms. Anne Potocnik. Words cannot begin to describe the effect she has had on our family, parents and students alike. Having taught 4 out of 6 of the Mahadale children, we established a strong, almost family-like relationship with her over the years. Ms. Potocnik is a shining example of an individual who mastered the art of teaching. Her memory will continue to live on through the hundreds of students whom she passionately imparted her wisdom on. She will truly be missed.

I truly am terribly so sorry for your loss. Mrs.Potocnik was my grade 8 teacher in 2009-2010. Not only did she impact my life, but the lives of so many other children in our community. She was fair, and really pushed us to believe in ourselves. Mrs.Potocnik was the teacher I needed, especially because was Ieaving for highschool the following school year.

Mrs. Potocnik will truly be missed by everyone!

Love Always,

Jessica J. Black-Thompson

My sincere condolences to your family. Ms. Potocnik was one of the greatest teacher I’ve ever had. Also one of the greatest mentor of all time. I was new to Canada an immigrant when I met her. She made me feel welcome to a new country I wasn’t familiar with. You will always be in our hearts.

Thank you for everything. Without you I wouldn’t get to where I am today. Fly high our angel. 🤍

I was one of her students. Most influential and caring teacher I have ever had. Will truly be missed.

So sorry to hear the news of Ann passing. Due to Covid we haven't seen each other at book club and I will miss her input and enthusiastic participation. My condolences to the family on the loss of a lovely woman.

My honest condolences to your family. Ms Potocnik was my eight grade teacher at Islington Junior Middle school and helped a misguided child like myself to unlock my full potential as a student. I am beyond grateful to have her as my teacher, and will always cherish the memories and values we shared together.

Our deepest condolences on the loss of our dear friend and previous neighbour Anne.
Our daily walks throughout McKellar provoked many interesting discussions on life and families.
Our hearts go out to Tom and family during this trying time.

So sorry to read this sad news. Our thoughts are with Tom and family. We know she will be missed.

I am so sorry to hear this news. Anne was chair of the McKellar Library Board when I joined two years ago. She was a great leader and a wonderful person and friend. I will miss her so much.

mrs P is what we used to call her in school .
she was one of the best teachers that i had , she knew how to treat her students with love , she was kind and a great human being . she helped me so much when i arrived to canada .
i will always remember her and it saddens me that i never got to say goodbye . she will always have a place in my heart .
to the family , i am so sorry , this is a sad day for me as i cant imagine for all of you . and i wish you all the best and lots of blessings .
will forever be remembered Mrs P .

I am very sorry to hear about Anne. My condolences go out to her family and friends. She was a wonderful person. Anne was on the library board, and she was great to work with. She will be greatly missed.

We are all heartbroken to hear of Anne's passing, every once in a while you will meet people that just click with you, Anne was one of those people for all of us, she was always so easy going and just a pleasure to talk to, she was always going out of her way to help everyone around her, and I know that she has left a mark on this world that nobody will ever be able to replicate.
Tom and family, we are so so sorry for your loss, and if there is anything that any of us at the shop can do, please just let us know.

I had Mrs. P in grade 8, and she was the best teacher I have ever had. Ever. She saw potential in me when I didn't see it in myself and always inspired everyone to do better. I am heartbroken about this loss. May she rest in peace.

When I think of my time at Islington JMS, the first teacher that comes to mind is Mrs. Potocnik, so it was very sad to hear this news. Mrs. Potocnik was my grade 8 teacher in 2006 and she really left an impact with her students, as I still remember how great of a teacher she was to this day. I'm sure her character at school as a deeply caring teacher, was only a fraction of a reflection of how she was as a mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, and sister.
My condolences to the family.

My sincere sympathy to her family on the passing of the incredible Anne Potocnik. She was a colleague of mine at Islington Junior Middle School. The care and compassion that she showed her students, families and community was incredible. She supported her other teacher colleagues especially those new to the profession. I would often walk upstairs at the end of the day after school and see Mrs. P with a room full of students visiting and learning with her. These students were her current students and high school students who never stopped loving her. The impact she had is immeasurable. She will be sadly missed by many.

Tom and family, Doug and I are very saddened to hear of Anne's passing. I had the honour to work with Anne when she was an instructor at TD Bank. She was a respected colleague, a supportive mentor and a true friend. Anne will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

I tell this story to this day.
In 1997 Mrs. Potocnik brought a pizza to class. She asked for 8 volunteers, to each receive a slice. We all raised our hands, jumping out of our seats - and the 8 chosen kids were on cloud nine, to the envy of the rest. Mrs Potocnik said "this pizza represents the work that some of you guys hand in." The first kid got a tiny half-bite slice, the second got a regular slice with coke spilled all over it, the third got a slice that had been thrown on the floor, the next four kids got slices each of which was tampered with in other creative ways, and the last kid (this was Mrs. Potocnik's finishing move) got a nice, normal slice - but before he could touch it, Mrs.Potocnik grabbed it off the plate, rammed it in her mouth, chewed it, and spat it back down.
The entire class went wild!
Then she told us to take pride in our work, because the world expects us to.

I can recall like it was yesterday. Having Mrs.P as my grade 8 teacher was a memorable and warm experience! Words just can’t describe Mrs. P. Her energy, enthusiasm , and care she’d shown for her students and community is overwhelming. It was a pleasure being in her class. My family and I send our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers to her family during these difficult times!

Mrs P was one of my favourite teachers. She helped me through so much and showed me there’s so much i can do if i put my mind to it. I’m so upset to hear about this. My deepest condolences to her family.

Mrs P had immeasurable impact on the growth and maturity of her students. Every single day, we viewed her with the utmost admiration. She was wonderfully funny and quick-witted- far too much so for us to keep up with, and to her delight! She demanded we show respect to not only each other, but to ourselves by expecting us to “be” at our highest self, which pushed us to be better than the standard at which we had previously held ourselves. Mrs P, thank you for teaching us the most valuable life skills. You are remembered and celebrated by so many of your students.
My love and respect,
Rachel Shannon

My deepest sympathies to Tom and family on Anne's tragic passing. I've known Anne for many years - working with her at TD Bank in the 1980's and remaining in touch since. A wonderful person and a true loss to many.

My sincerest condolences to Tom and family on the immense loss of their dear Anne. My heart goes out to all of them, and the many, many people of all ages whose lives she impacted.

As my teaching colleague and long standing friend, Anne embraced her relationships as a nurturing, guiding and empathetic confidante. I always will remember her sheer fun and adventurous spirit that I continued to enjoy post retirement, both in Toronto and at the lake house in Parry Sound. The blessings of Anne’s loyal friendship remains a benefit in my life and an ineffable joy. Thank you darling Anne.

~ Lisbeth Paisley-Smith

Dear Tom, Stephanie and Nick, I and so sad and heartbroken to hear of Anne's passing. May she rest in peace. My heart goes out to you and your family during these difficult times. Me and my family send our sympathies and love to all of you.

So sad to her of my dear friend's passing.
I met Anne while she was in Australia, studying to become a teacher, and we have been friends ever since. We shared many adventures together but 2 of my favourite times were a holiday in Toronto with my youngest daughter in 2002, and another in 2019 in Parry Sound.
My love & prayers go out to Tom, Steph & Nick & their angel Carmen, Brenda & family, Campbell & family, Danny's wife & family & Jenny & family.
Rest In Peace my dear friend.
Cath Brown

I first met Anne when she was my Associate Teacher when I was in teacher's college. I quickly saw that I had struck gold. Anne was not only my mentor and friend, but the kind of person who inspired and found the best in everyone around her. I am a better teacher and person because I had Anne in my life. She was truly an incredible person and she will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences to her family, and all those graced by her life.

Tom, my deepest condolences on the loss of Anne. I loved when she would pop into the bakery when she was in town or rib you about your "harem" of women 😊. Heaven gained an Angel.

Anne Potocnik was more than just a teacher. She was one who truly cared for her students and wanted to see each one succeed. She brought out the best in me and brought out potential that I didn't fully see in myself. I would look forward to going to school every day because she made going to school in the morning a fun and exciting experience. Truly a caring and loving person. My deepest condolences to your family.

I am so sorry to hear of Anne's passing. We knew each other through our neighbourhood children (Stephanie, Chloe, Alexandra & Kimberly). Anne will forever be remembered for the true -bared soul -kindness she showed me when I lost my first husband, Terry. My sincere condolences to all of her family - may you find peace in fond memories.