Brenda Potter

Potter, Brenda Jean, 68, passed away on December 8, 2025. She was born on June 13, 1957, in Chandler, Arizona to Paul and Shirley Carrick.

Brenda worked as a medical transcriber at St, Fransis Hospital, she was always leery about going to the archives alone. We were married on June 26,1976 so she moved to Lubbock TX where I was stationed in the Air Force. She got a job working as a medical secretary at a dental lab until her automobile accident on January 6, 1977. The accident left Brenda an incomplete quadriplegic, even with her affliction she was determined, at rehab she refused to do further therapy until they allowed her to try to walk in the parallel bars, which she did. Using that determination Brenda accomplished a lot; we traveled to Lourdes France, a Caribbean cruise, trips to family reunions in Erie, PA, and Elk Horn City, KY, two trips to Toronto, Canada and trips to Disney World and Las Vegas. Brenda planned family vacations almost every year taking us all over the US.

She did Rug Crafting and made 20 wall tapestries and Christmas decorations. Crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles were always around for Brenda to work. Rarely idle she read so many romance novels she started writing her own and wrote and published 26 books. She was always active with our daughters; Brainna and Shannon, and started driving so she could chauffeur them to school, dance classes, gymnastics, music lessons, Girl Scouts and any other activity they were involved in.

Brenda was a vey giving person and was always involved with charities like The Food Bank, ASPCA, Samaritans Purse and the Crazy Bag Lady that works with homeless in Wichita. People were adopted into the family whether they wanted to be or not, you know who you are. Her love of dogs got us seven dogs over the years and would have been kennel had I not restrained her. Dog pool parties were a thing with Brenda involved.

Brenda remained devout despite the many hardships she faced in life. Even when she was not physically able to attend Mass, she would watch the service from home and still received communion regularly.

She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Carrick; daughter, Brianna Potter; sister Christine Kristy.

Brenda is survived by her husband of 49 years, Wayne Potter; daughter, Shannon Rivera; mother, Shirley Carrick; sister, Lori Steiner; brother, Robert Carrick; grandsons, Charles and Austin Wildoner; and granddaughter, Zoey Rivera.

Rosary prior to service. Mass will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 2300 E. Meadowlark, Derby, Kansas 67037.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Kansas Food Bank, 1919 E. Douglas, Wichita, Kansas 67211.