Joan “Penny” Brush Potter, a longtime Greenwich resident, died January 24th at the age of 97.
She was born in Port Chester, New York, to Bruce Halstead Penovi and Helen Mertz on May 20th, 1926. Joan is remembered as a career woman and mother, who ran a business while raising three children.
As a young woman she was drawn to the arts, especially theater productions and creative writing. She graduated from Penn Hall in 1946 and pursued a career in advertising while attending Columbia University in Manhattan. She married Abbott Hodgman Brush on February 18th, 1950. Together they built a home in Greenwich to raise their family.
Widowed in 1958, she took over the management of the Brush Nail Expansion Bolt manufacturing company. The family business, established 1915 in Greenwich by Abbott’s father Abbott Purdy Brush, sold a unique line of his patented anchor designs.
Joan continued to run the company as its sole proprietor for 20 years.
In 1964 she married Geoffrey A Potter. Their combined families filled many photo albums with pictures from trips and holidays celebrated together.
Joan had a great sense of style and was a wonderful host to all. She most enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, sitting on her porch overlooking the woods, while having a nosh. She kept her theatrical flair for telling stories all her life and loved to share fun anecdotes. Recently, she regaled us with the story of being voted “Best legs on Fire Island”.
Predeceased by her second husband, Geoffrey A Potter and her son, Abbott P Brush II. Joan is survived by her two daughters, Suzanne P Brush of Stamford, CT, Joan H Brush of Providence, RI and three stepsons; Stephen H Potter of CA, Robert S Potter of Saitama, Japan and Bruce W Potter of Ypsilanti, MI.
Joan will always be remembered by those who knew her for her grace and the kindness she bestowed on others.
There will be a private burial at the Putnam cemetery.