Cornelia Pottenburgh

Cornelia Mae (Grimes) Pottenburgh, 76, of Centerburg, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on July 25th after a brief battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones at the time she passed.

Connie was born on July 2nd, 1946 to Mack and Myrtle (Thayer) Grimes in Columbus, OH. After graduating from Upper Arlington High School in 1964, Connie went on to study education at Otterbein University where she met the love of her life, Thomas Pottenburgh. They wed on July 27, 1968 in Westerville, going on to have two children, Matthew and Melissa.

Upon graduation, she was an elementary school teacher in Powell and after having her first child, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. She excelled at motherhood and was the foundation of our family, through and through. Once her children went to college, she returned to be the beloved school secretary and librarian at Longfellow Elementary School in Westerville for 15-years.

When she wasn’t filling her home with warmth and kindness, she loved reading, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, music, playing games, Zumba where she was known as “the General,” sewing, knitting, cooking (there was always a pot of chili on the stove), puzzles, sci-fi movies, and mowing the lawn. Finally, she was our constant cheerleader and supporter and never missed a special date. 

Connie was predeceased by her parents, Mack and Myrtle. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Tom, children, Navy Captain Matt Pottenburgh and wife Laura, Melissa (Pottenburgh) Charlton and husband Blake, her sister Peggy (Grimes) Sheaffer and husband Tom, and her grandchildren, Keegan, Thomas, Kaeli, Tyler, Owen, Olivia, Fagan, and Lauraine as well as many nieces, nephews, loved ones, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Northside Christian School (2655 West Schrock Road Westerville, Ohio 43081) on her behalf. 

There will be a celebration of life on Monday, August 1st at 10AM at Genoa Baptist Church (7562 Lewis Center Road Westerville, Ohio 43082).