Lucille Marie Bock Pote

November 25, 1922 - December 30, 2014

Lucille Marie Bock Pote, 92, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at Friends Village in Woodstown, NJ. Lucille was a loving mother and grandmother. Survivors include her sons Frank L Pote III (Chip) and Corey J Pote, daughters-in-law Gwen Pote, Jean Pote and Linda Johnson; two loving grandsons, Timothy Pote and Gregory Pote and Timothy’s wife, Emily Pote. Lucille was predeceased by her husband, Frank L Pote Jr and her eldest son, Harold W Pote. Lucille enjoyed being around people and made all who came in contact with her feel comfortable. She lived life to the fullest and dedicated herself to helping others. Born in Toledo, OH, she served in the US Army Nurse Corps after graduating from Nursing School. Her World War II military service with the 116th Evacuation Hospital European Theater Unit Nursing Corps included being the first group of US Medical personnel to liberate the Dachau Concentration Camp near Munich, Germany in May, 1945. After returning from Europe, she and Frank settled into Red Bank, NJ before moving to Penns Grove, NJ in 1947 where Frank was a funeral director. Lucille continued serving others during her career as an RN at Salem Hospital, an Instructor for LPNs at local community colleges and finally the school nurse for Lafayette-Pershing School in Penns Grove. Lucille received several honors for her service during her years in Salem County. She was honored by Borough of Penns Grove in 1995 for her military service; was a recipient of the Salem County Commission on Women’s Women of Achievement Award in 1996; she was the Veteran honoree last May at the Pennsville Woman's Club’s 2nd Annual Honor Garden Memorial Service; and this past November was recognized as the oldest female Veteran in Salem County at a luncheon given in her honor by the Penns Grove-Carney’s Point Woman’s Club. In 1994 she was the honored representative of the Nursing Corps who liberated Dachau and other concentration camps during the US Holocaust Memorial Museum dedication in Washington, DC, along with Schindler’s List director Steven Spielberg. Lucille sang in the Union Presbyterian Church choir, served as a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack #203 during her sons’ early scouting years, and was the Candy Striper coordinator at Penns Grove High School. Her service to others also included volunteering with Meals on Wheels of Salem County, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Salem County Arts Alliance, Historical Society of Penns Grove and the Penns Grove-Carneys Point Woman’s Club. A special part of her life was as a member of the local “Stompin’ Grannies,” which performed in the Arts Alliance’s “Fox Tale Follies” and other venues for several years. The family will conduct a private burial ceremony at the Salem County Veterans’ Cemetery on Saturday January 10th at noon. Friends may join in a “Celebration of Life” on Saturday January 24th beginning at 1 pm the Washington Club in Penns Grove, NJ. Memorials may be made to the Spina Bifida Association, PO Box 17427, Arlington, VA 22216, in honor of her grandson, Gregory, or to Ranch Hope, Inc., PO Box 325, Alloway, NJ 08001. Arrangements are by Ashcraft Funeral Homes, Penns Grove and Pennsville. www.ashcraftfuneralhomes.com