Nancy Potoczny, 88

Nancy Hughes Potoczny was born Oct. 17, 1937. She celebrated her 88th birthday a month and a half before she passed away on Nov. 30, 2025, in Billings. Born in Kalispell, Nancy was the second of three daughters raised by John "Jack" Hughes and Betty Hunter Hughes. Nancy loved the Flathead Valley and other than a few years away for college and teaching, she always lived in the area.

Nancy’s first marriage gave her two daughters, Carolyn and Molly. In later years, through a blind date set up by mutual friends, Nancy met Joe Potoczny and found the love of her life. They were married Nov. 22, 1967, and together raised Joe’s daughter, Zoe, Carolyn and Molly, son, Joe and daughter, Sarah, in the house in Ferndale where Nancy lived for 50 years.

She was always meant to be a teacher. For many years she took a break from teaching and was a stay-at-home mom where she shared her love of music, books and learning with all of her kids and encouraged them in finding their own passions. Whether teaching in a traditional classroom (Kalispell), running a one-room schoolhouse (Swan Lake), working as an aide for special needs children (Bigfork and Cayuse Prairie) or just being with her children at home, she loved teaching and spending time with children.

Nancy was an active member in her church and the last surviving charter member of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Bigfork. She and Joe, along with two other Bigfork residents and the support of clergy from Kalispell began planning and having services in the fall of 1976. On April 1, 1977, St. Patrick’s was admitted as a Mission Church to the Diocese of Montana. She remained very involved in the church until September 2017 when she moved to Billings to be closer to family.

She was an avid knitter and along with the many baby blankets, afghans and knitted Christmas ornaments she made, she found time to knit each grandchild a specially designed blanket for their high school graduations.

Nancy was a wonderful baker and especially known for her amazing homemade bread and all the jams and jellies she made to enjoy with it.

She is survived by her sisters, Patty Nagel and Jan Skaar Weatherly (Richard), her children, Carolyn Peters (Scott), Molly Johnson (Keith), Joe Potoczny (Lea), Sarah Potoczny and stepdaughter, Zoe Timmons (Ken), as well as nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Bigfork with a luncheon reception at the Swan River Hall immediately following. The family asks that any memorials be made to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. To leave condolences, visit MichelottiSawyers.com.