Cecile Gosselin Potter

Cecile (Gosselin) (Wright) Potter (1930-2025) “Small But Mighty” is how the saying goes, and she was. Cecile Jeanette Ida Gosselin was born at home on October 21, 1930, to Telesphore Gosselin from Quebec, Canada and Ida (Roy) Gosselin of Rutland, VT. Canadian French was often spoken in their home. Cecile and her sister, Beatrice attended Sacred Heart School and were devout Catholics.
Cecile blossomed in BennHi and was a high stepping majorette (Baton twirler) in the BennHi band all four years. She graduated in 1948, one of only 12 students of 95 with Pro Meritorious Honors. She married her High School sweetheart, Kenneth (Corky) Wright. That marriage brought forth 3 children (Tony, Jackie and Michele). Cecile was one of the pioneering women who broke the glass ceiling working full time and raising her children as a single mom. She was an exemplary employee even when it required pulling her children on the sled to the sitters on her way to work and arriving on time! Being a devoted mother was her life.
To show support to her children, Cecile was a dedicated Mom Fan and attended as many school, twirling, cheerleading and various sports functions, parades and games as possible. All while traveling on foot - there was no family car to be had. That unwavering fan-hood continued as a Nana to her grandchildren while attending countless Christmas pageants, piano concerts, tailgating, soccer games and dance recitals.
Cecile worked for 22 years at the 1st Vermont Bank & Trust Company (now TD Bank) working her way up from teller to Assistant Trust Officer. She retired in 1982 and married Burton Potter. This marriage enhanced her life dramatically. Cecile rejoiced in the companionship, and they spent many happy years as winter snowbirds in Dunedin, Florida and resided on Elm Street in Bennington celebrating holidays with their blended family.
After retirement, Cecile was a occasional worker and dedicated volunteer at several businesses and organizations in the Bennington area including the Rose and Francis Morrissey Law offices, the Bennington Museum, the Old Castle Theatre, the Benn Chamber of Commerce, her “Wednesdays with Elaine” and her home-away-from-home - the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. She was employed for 22 years from 2002-2022 by several SVMC departments as well as logging 8,900 Volunteer hours along the way! Many employees remember her as the paragon Gray Lady who manned the front desk on Friday nights and shared a calming smile as they exited after a long work week. She literally lived up to her BennHi senior superlative “Always A Smile, No Matter Who”.
Cecile was a proud member of The Saint Anne Society of Sacred Heart Church, the Bennington and Professional Women, the SVMC Auxiliary, and probably others she never even spoke of. After living in Bennington, VT for 93 years, on School Street, Elm Street, and the Colonial Garden Apartments, in typical “Cecile style” she moved to her own apartment in Saratoga Springs, NY to be closer to family. Cecile always believed you should “put your life in the hands of the Lord” and she did all her life.
Cecile is predeceased by her three Gosselin brothers who died in infancy, her father, her mother, her sister, Beatrice Conway, her brother-in- law Walter Conway, both of her husbands, her stepdaughter Sally Katz and many Canadian relatives.
Cecile is survived by her three children: Anthony (Tony) Wright of Saratoga Springs, NY, Jacqueline (Jackie) Wright of Saratoga Springs, NY and Michele (Jeff) Hall of Williston, VT; her 2 step daughters: Sue Joachim of California and Nanette (Stanley) Lampron of Bennington, VT; her nephew: Bob Conway of Boston area, MA; three grandchildren: Jillian (Hall) Wright of Asheville, NC, Jerrod (Danielle) Hall of Williston, VT and Anthony Wright Jr of Glens Falls, NY; six step-grandchildren; four great grandchildren: Oliver & Archer Wright and Connor & Wesley Hall & several step great grandchildren.
Services for Cecile will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, starting with Funeral mass at Sacred Heart/St. Francis Church at 11:00 AM followed by burial in Park Lawn Cemetery followed by moments of fellowship in the parish hall.
Donations will go to the Sacred Heart School.