Obituary of Lilia Virginia Potts

To view video tribue online, click link below: http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=3033 Lilia died peacefully in her sleep at the Franciscan Hospice House in University Place, WA, on Sunday evening, March 26, 2006, after battling end stage congestive heart failure. She now is at rest with her Lord and Savior. She was born on June 6, 1930 in Los Angeles, CA, to Clarice (Remley) and Ernest Lotz. At the age of 4, she went to live with her grandmother, Aida Lyons, in the small town of Mojave, CA, until graduating from high school. Aida made great sacrifices to raise Lilia. She was a strong woman who worked hard doing a variety of physically demanding jobs such lifting and selling blocks of ice (some weighing as much as 300 lbs), selling and loading wood and coal so she could provide a home for Lilia. Lilia recently stated "she did every thing for me" and that she knew that her grandmother always loved her. During her high school years at Antelope Valley High Lilia was active and enjoyed friends and company and good relationships with teachers. Her actvities included being a member of various clubs, going to dances at the Palladium in Los Angeles, and being in the school orchestra. Lilia was a bright child excelling in academics and music. By the young age of 10 she had already played piano professionally for weddings, funerals and church services. Her talent also extended to playing the violin, and enabled her to achieve the "First Chair Violinist" appointment for her high school's orchestra, with one of her tasks being to tune the whole orchestra. Lilia's love for music was passed on to her children, as both John and Anne gained their own passion for music and it's expression through instruments. Her music lives on in them. Along with her love for music was mom's keen curiosity and interest in science, math and English. It was these that sparked her ambition to go on to college after. But with financial means for college being unavailable to her, she was unable to realize these dreams. This, however, didn't stop her thirst to learn. She read extensively and talked about current events, being interested in a variety of topics. At the age 18, she married John Gorrindo, on November 6, 1948. John was the son of Felix and Trinidad Gorrindo, both of who were Basque and had migrated to Lancaster, CA, from the small village of Isaba in the Pyrenes mountains of Spain. In Lancaster they became alfalfa farmers and, in addition, were sheep and cattle ranchers. Lilia and John began their married life on the family farm. John worked at various jobs which included bailing hay, driving the farm's tractors and helping to irrigate the crops, while Lilia did the cooking and, being a bit of a perfectionist, worked hard at keeping a spotless house. While living on the farm, John and Lilia had two children--John and Anne. However, at a young age John developed asthma and Anne developed allergies that appeared to be leading toward asthma. The doctor diagnosed the cause as being their exposure to alfalfa, and she warned that if this exposure continued both children's health would suffer further decline. After this both John and Lilia knew they had to move, and with some suggestions to consider a mountain type climate, a move to Lake Tahoe was decided to be the best choice. So in 1958 they moved, and once in the clean fresh air of Lake Tahoe the decision proved right as both John and Anne's health improved significantly. John and Lilia's decision to move to Lake Tahoe included the purchase of a rustic cabin resort on the lake called the Dunes Resort. Here, Lilia ran and operated the resort while John worked at the Casinos. In her efforts to run the resort, it was Lilia's desired to serve and make people feel welcome. To do this she worked hard to establish honest and respectful relationships with others. This work ethic of building integrity and keeping your word had been instill in Lilia by her grandmother and a was foundational part of her life. Unfortunately, she had different medical problems through the years that would prevent her from doing and being everything she wanted to be to family and friends. But she remaind hopeful that her fight against these adversities would eventually make a way, in her and through her, for things to be made right. After over 20 years of marriage John and Lilia divorced but remained friends. Lilia then remarried when she married Gerald (Jerry) Potts at a small wedding witnessed by Jerry's son and his wife, Russell and Marianne Potts. Together Jerry and Lilia managed two other resorts working side by side, with their best years being spent at the Lakepoint Resort among the family of friends who owned and visited the Resort. At the time of their marrage Jerry's & Lilia's extended family included, Jerry's son Russell and his wife Marianne and their daughter "Olivia"; John Jr and his wife Jody and their son "Felix" and daughter "Simone" and Anne and her husband Michael. In the winter, the resort was closed. But in the summer, there was always plenty of people and activity in and around the resort. Lilia had a large hand in the administrative operation of the resort. She was great with the details and communication. Jerry kept things light with his sense of humor and was the hard working handyman/guru of the place. They both complimented each other with their abilities, and helped the owners run the resort successfully. Lilia felt grateful to be able to live in such a beautiful resort while enjoying the good working/personal relationships of the owners and their families. But, upon Jerry's death in 1995, Lilia was faced with a decision. Both she and the owners knew that the resort was more than she could physically and emotionally handle, so after 40 years of living in Lake Tahoe, she made the hard decision to move from Lake Tahoe. The memories were hard to leave, yet she knew she had to go. Her decision was to move to the Tacoma Washington area in September 1996 to be with her daughter Anne and son-in-law Michael. She moved into a condominium complex in Federal Way overlooking Easter Lake (very small by Tahoe standards) and full of wonderful neighbors. The lake was an extra bonus, as it reminded her of Lake Tahoe and made her feel very much at home. Her neighbors became good friends and watched out for her, which gave her a great sense of comfort and peace. Lilia adjusted well to the Northwest (even to the weather) and joined the Steel Lake Presbyterian Church where she made still more friends, friends who helped her meet Jesus and loved her with the love of God. At the church, she became active in the women's circle, in Bible studies and attending church services and in church and women's lunches. She also had many good times spent with Anne and Michael. Together they attended plays, an opera, church services, watched movies at home and on the big screen, ate holiday meals, restaurant meals, did holiday and household shopping, ran errands, laughed (with mom's unique kind of humor added to theirs) and talked "up a storm" with each other. These were special times, cherished times, times of building memories that are now held fondly in the heart and never forgotten. As time went on, Lilia's struggle with her health increased but she kept fighting back. In the year 2000, as her health required she have more help, so she hired Phyllis to provide the additional caregiving needed. Phyllis gave such great care of Lilia that their relationship changed to a very close, sincere and trusting friendship. Phyllis was a great blessing to Lilia and Anne. We will miss you mom With great love you will always be in our hearts. Lilia is survived by her sister Jane Ireland, her daughter Anne and son-in-law Michael Scaroni, her son John Gorrindo and children Felix and Simone, their mother Jody Coppock, her step-son Russell and his wife Marianne Potts and their daughter Olivia. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 8th, at 2 pm in the sanctuary of Steel Lake Presbyterian Church, 1829 S 308th St, Federal Way, WA. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a donation to The Franciscan Hospice House, 2901 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, WA 98466. Thank you to: -Dr. Patrick Reagan and his staff at Virginia Mason in Federal Way for the wonderful care you gave through the years. -Dr Brazina and the nursing staff of The Fanciscan Hospice House for your compassion and care. You indeed gave mom dignity and peace in her last days. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008