Penny Potter Sauve

That is the quote from her family, friends and neighbors.

It is with profound sadness and deep heartache that we announce the unexpected passing of our dearest Penny Elizabeth (Potter) Sauve who passed away on November 1, 2024. Penny is the beloved daughter of the late Fay E. (Miles) Potter and the late Jay M. Potter of Wellsburg, West Virginia.

Penny graduated from Wellsburg High School in 1964, where her dad Jay was the assistant principal of her school and her mom Fay was the guidance counselor at the other high school in our same county. After earning her undergraduate degree in Education from Marshall University in 1968, Penny followed her parents’ legacy by beginning to teach at Marie C. Graham Elementary School in Harrison Township, MI, affiliated with the L’Anse Creuse Public Schools district. She spent 26 years teaching beginning with fourth grade and then later on with first grade at Graham Elementary. She was voted Teacher of the Year before her retirement in 1994. In October of 1981, Penny married the love of her life Dr. Mark D. Sauve DDS of Saint Clair Shores, MI, who was the son of the late Joseph “Ed” Edouard and the late Kathleen “Kay” Sauve.

Penny grew up on a farm in West Virginia, where her family raised horses and dogs. She was an accomplished horseman, but her real passion was caring for dogs. Penny never met an animal she didn’t like, and the feeling was mutual. In 1987, Penny began volunteering at Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society in Harper Woods MI, which she continued until her passing. She especially adored the many yellow Labradors she and Mark cared for over the years.

Over their 40 years of marriage, Penny and Mark enjoyed family, friends and the finer things in life: boating, sailing, white water rafting, snow skiing, water skiing, sightseeing, visiting colleges, entertaining, get togethers, fundraisers, pet adoptions, dog walking, dancing, celebrating holidays, eating out, watching hometown sports and dressing up in costumes for Halloween. Penny also appreciated the simple pleasures in life: reading books, needlepoint, cross stitch, a good meal and taking a nap. She was an excellent crew mate on any sailboat, and proudly earned the title of Galley Wench. Penny and Mark loved traveling and enjoyed adventures to Africa, the Virgin Islands, Mexico, Canada and Alaska. They loved taking road trips visiting family and friends in West Virginia, Maryland, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio and throughout the state of Michigan.

Penny was proceeded in her passing by her parents Jay and Fay Potter, her husband Mark Sauve, sister-in-law Aileen (O’Connell) Potter, and in-laws Ed and Kay Sauve. Penny is survived by brother retired RPh Jay M. Potter II and his companion Kathy, and brother retired LtCol. John P. Potter and his wife Julie. She is also survived by her adored nieces and nephews, as well as their own children: Jay M. Potter III; Jason M. Potter (Tammy) and daughter Addison; John P. Potter (Katie) and children Xenia and Jaden; Jaymee E. (Potter) McAndrew (Jake) and sons Jax and Finn;. Penny is also survived by her three Sauve brother in-laws Matthew (Mary), Luke (Marjan) and John (Ann); sister in-law Gretchen (Sauve) Bell (Bob), as well as her dear Sauve nieces and nephews Michelle, Christine, Phillip, Andrew, Emma, Kate, Prairie and Breanne.

During Penny’s lifetime, she was fortunate to have many magnificent friends, both near and all over the world, including some incredible local neighbors—far too many to list individually. She was particularly close to Deborah (Schoenherr) Malik (the late Parvez Malik); Dr. Lorraine Armstrong MD (Dr. Henry Goitz MD) and Leann Lizza (Tom Lizza). Special mentions to: longtime childhood friend Cheryl (Riggs) Joseph who has been friends with Penny all of their lives; next door neighbor Laura Goslee who has been a longtime friend and great support to Penny; neighbor and friend Lorraine Armstrong who was the sister Penny never had.

She was known to many not only as Penny, Pen or Penbird, but also Aunt Penny—even to those beyond her family. In addition to being a devoted dog mom, Penny was also a loving adopted aunt to Farrah (Malik) Williams (Jeffrey) and their daughters Ava and Adeline; siblings Dylan and the late Katarina Goitz; and siblings John and Erica Lizza. Penny was always ready to help anyone in need; her family and friends were truly blessed to be able to rely on her. Penny was rarely seen without a smile, and she made each person she met feel welcomed and loved. Our hearts are broken and she will be forever missed. It was truly an honor to have Penny in our lives, and we are all better for having known this outstanding fine lady.

The date of Penny’s future memorial service and celebration of her life at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue, Gross Pointe Woods, MI is to be determined, along with a date for the interment of her ashes to take place at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township, MI, to be placed near her husband Mark’s resting place.

In lieu of flowers, Penny would prefer that you please consider donating to one of her favorite charities: Gross Pointe Animal Adoption Society (GPAAS) www.gpass.org, 20542 Harper Avenue, Harper Woods, MI 48225; Katarina Goitz Foundation for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, www.katarinayouthministry.org, Katarina Youth Ministry, PO Box 806243, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080; or a charity close to your heart.