Julia Potocki

Julia Potocki, 97, of Casa Grande died peacefully at home on Oct. 7, 2014, surrounded by her family.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Assumption Catholic Church in Florence. Rosary will be recited at 10, and funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30. Burial will be in Valley Memorial Park in Coolidge.

Mrs. Potocki was born on Aug. 13, 1917, in Detroit to Frank and Emma Fabian, the oldest of seven children. She met and married the love of her life, Walter, in 1940. She was a beautician and owned a beauty shop. When Walter retired from Chrysler Corporation in 1972, they came to Arizona to visit friends, ended up buying 5 acres in Florence and built a home there. She was very active in the community and was a member of several clubs.

She beat cervical cancer in 1986, and after an infection left her with a partially amputated foot in 2006, she was given little hope from her doctors. She fought back and proved them wrong. She never let her age or disability get the best of her. She loved to do crossword puzzles, play Scrabble and go to play bingo every chance she got. She was always seen with her champagne blond hair, ruby red lipstick, glass of port wine and wearing anything leopard. She loved to tell stories about her life and people loved to hear them, even if it was multiple times. Known as Grandma Julie, she was the life of the party and made everyone around her laugh.

Survivors include her only child, Marcia Stewart of Casa Grande, who had taken care of her since 2006 and was with her when she passed; a sister, Emma Remisiewicz of Taylor, Michigan; a brother, Joseph Fabian of Melvindale, Michigan; three grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild, with another due in March. Her husband of 55 years died in 1995. She also was preceded in death by four brothers and sisters, George and Frank Fabian, Ida Eno and Helen Peters, and a great-grandson, Matthew Stewart.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel is in charge of arrangements.