Mickey Potenza

Mickey Potenza, beloved mother and grandmother, died peacefully on January 31, 2015, surrounded by her family.

Mickey was known for her tremendous spirit and her endless generosity. She was a loving Christian who praised Jesus and once had The Ten Commandments posted on a billboard in Ithaca.

Born Mildred Canteline to parents Raymond and Evelyn on June 26, 1925, Mickey grew up in Buffalo, NY. A widowed Evelyn would later go on to marry Albert "Beatball" Wohlert who would become Mickey's step-father.

Just out of high school in 1941, Mickey held an elevator operator position at Hengerer's Department Store in Buffalo. At Hangerer's, she was 'discovered' by a modeling agent, prompting her to move to New York City in 1945. There she lived at the Barbizon Hotel and was represented by the John Robert Powers Agency. Known then as Mickey Fair, she appeared in popular fashion magazines including Vogue, Mademoiselle, Glamour and Seventeen. Mickey also appeared on 4 different magazine covers and was the 'Pepsodent Girl' as well as a catalogue model for Sears and Montgomery Ward. Mickey had many opportunities-Hollywood included, but chose to pursue Ballroom Dance. She became a professional dance partner to Carmen Miranda and Arthur Murray as well as teaching at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. In 1951, Mickey returned to Buffalo, to raise her family, where she worked briefly as a stenographer for Bell Aircraft. Shortly after, she began to work as a hairdresser, attending Doyle Beauty School and later becoming a licensor for the New York State Board exams. Mickey had her own hair salon, The Style Mart, in the town of Lansing. In her latter years, Mickey enjoyed traveling to Europe and the Caribbean, as well as working at her sons' shop, Optivision of Ithaca. She was married to Peter F. Potenza, October 13, 1953, until his passing four years ago.

Mickey is survived by her children Susan, Dana, and Peter Jr., and Thomas (pre-deceased) grandchildren Jennifer, Kitty, Tom Jr., Shawn, Dan, Zoe, Meghan and Gavin, 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Mickey will be remembered for her warm smile, kind and generous heart, and her unending support that she gave to her entire family. We will all miss her dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jeffrey Tunnicliff on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 12 noon at the Immaculate Conception Church. Interment will follow in the Queen of Peace of Mausoleum. There are no calling hours.