Sally Ann (Morris) O’Bryan Potter

02/21/1934 — 06/11/2015

From Kennewick, WA | Born in Denver, CO

Sally Ann (Morris) O’Bryan Potter

SALLY ANN (MORRIS) O’BRYAN POTTER

Sally Ann Potter, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, went home to the loving arms of God from Callaway Gardens Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Kennewick on June 11, 2015.

Sally Ann’s beautiful life began on February 21,1934, in Denver, Colorado.  In 1944, she moved to Richland with her parents, Dale and Marjorie, sister Nancy and brother Bill.  She graduated from Richland’s Columbia High School, Class of 1952, and went on to Columbia Basin College to take business and marketing classes.  In 1952, Sally Ann married William (Mick) O’Bryan and they had seven children.  They   divorced in 1971.

As a single mother, Sally Ann began her business development and marketing career in radio sales at station KSMK in Kennewick.  In 1973, she entered the exciting world of airlines and travel. She was a pioneer in the commuter airline industry.  She was the first Director of Marketing and Interline Sales for Execuair/Columbia Pacific Airlines, that served Seattle, Portland, and Boise from the Richland airport.  She was responsible for reservations, ticketing, passenger service and system-wide sales and interline activities.  In 1977, she became District Sales Manager for western Washington and Oregon for Spokane-based Cascade Airways, responsible for developing markets for Cascade flights from both the Richland and Pasco air terminals.

Sally Ann was active in the business community as a member of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce; the Visitors and Convention Bureau; the Tri-City Transportation Club, serving on the Board of Directors and as President; and the City of Richland Program Development Committee.

She married Robert Potter in 1978.  They moved to the Washington, D.C. area where she was an account executive for an advertising and graphic arts company.  While there, she founded the Dulles Area Visitors and Convention Bureau, modeled after the Tri-Cities Bureau.  The charter of the new organization was to promote the use of Dulles Airport and the local convention hotels.

Sally Ann and Robert moved back to the Tri-Cities in 1981, where she joined the staff of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce as Membership Director. The Chamber of Commerce later merged with the Tri-Cities Nuclear Industrial Council to become the Tri-City Industrial Development Council (TRIDEC), where she continued as Membership Director.

Sally Ann started her own business development and marketing consulting business Business Development Associates (BDA) of the Tri-Cities in 1984.  One of the highlight accomplishments of BDA was the establishment of the Sun Country Retirement Bureau, a stand-alone organization dedicated to promoting the Tri-Cities community as an ideal retirement destination.  In 1988, the Retirement Bureau was incorporated as a program in TRIDEC’s Commerce and Industry Division.

Sally Ann and Robert moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1986 where Sally Ann was employed by Monarch Airlines as Manager of Marketing and Sales.  Monarch Airlines was a regional carrier that served the communities of Grand Junction, Vail, Aspen, Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado, moving skiers and tourists between the resorts on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains.  She also served as a member of the Aviation Committee of Club 20, a coalition of counties, communities, and businesses to support economic development in western Colorado.

Sally Ann and Robert returned to the Tri-Cities in 1996 where Sally Ann focused full-time on things she loved including: entertaining friends, watercolor painting, the piano, golf, traveling and community activities.  She was a member of the Bechtel Women’s Group, serving two terms as president, the B Reactor Museum Association as public relations chairman, and the Meadow Springs Country Club’s Ladies Nine-Hole Golf Group, serving two terms as president.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Dale and Marjorie, sister Nancy and brother Bill.  She is survived by her husband Robert Potter, nine children: sons Michael (Jackie) O’Bryan, Joseph O’Bryan, John O’Bryan; daughters Patricia (Randy) George, Margaret Mary (John) Morris, Teresa (Scott) Dynes, and Mary Alyce Eugene; stepson Rob (Pam) Potter and stepdaughter Sandra Potter; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to sincerely thank the caregivers, nurses and staff of Callaway Gardens for the loving care they provided to Sally Ann over the last 31/2 years; and to the Heartlinks Hospice staff for the comfort they provided to Sally Ann and our family. They are a great blessing to the people whose lives they touch!


There will be a viewing from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday June 19th at Einan’s Funeral Home in Richland; a memorial service on Saturday morning at 10:30 am at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 1322 Kimball Ave in Richland; and a reception at the Meadow Springs Country Club, 700 Country Club Place in Richland from 12:00 pm to 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Sally Ann’s memory to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, Heartlinks Hospice of Sunnyside, or the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.

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Sally Ann (Morris) O’Bryan Potter

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  • I’m very sorry for the loss of Sally and send my condolences to the entire family. I knew Sally many years ago when she was involved in the Meadow Springs 9 hole ladies golf group. She was always so encouraging to me as I was not the best golfer in the world! We sure had fun and I appreciate the skills and organization she brought to the group. Sally was a sweetie and we will all miss her!

    Sue Peterson
    June 21, 2015
    Richland, WA
  • Dear Bob & Family, You have lost a wonderful wife & mother, and the Tri-Cities has lost a dear friend that had devoted many hours volunteering her time & efforts in helping us build a strong community.
    Whenever I think of Sally Ann, I’ll remember her big smile, her enthusiasm and always encouraging words of friendship & support. What a great lady!
    Please know that I consider myself blessed to have known her & you have my deepest sympathy on your loss.

    Kris Watkins
    June 18, 2015
    Tri-Cities
  • Dearest Bob and family.. our thoughts , prayers and hearts are with all of you as you navigate thru the loss of a very dear wife, mother and friend Sallyann!
    So many wonderful memories of her can make this perhaps easier for all of us. And that warm smile!!.. one that we will always remember.
    God Bless and F,R,O,G

    Bob and Coke Devine
    June 18, 2015
    Bonney Lake WA.
  • Sally Ann was a great lady and she will be missed. Bob, your are a living example of commitment to your marriage We will pray for you and Sally Ann. Your friendship has always been important to us. God Bless You

    Judy and Joe Nemec
    June 18, 2015
    Knoxville, TN 37922
  • Bob and Children,
    Sally Ann was a wonderful. loving lady. We were privileged to know her. We hope your memories of her are very sweet and will sustain you.
    Love, Eric & Michele

    Eric and Michele Gerber
    June 17, 2015
    Richland, WA
  • Bob thinking of you and your family and so sorry for your loss. Sally was a wonderful person and an inspiration to so many! She had many wonderful traits but as I am sure you all know she had a very special way of making people welcome and very special.
    May the Lord bless you and give you strength and comfort in this time of sorrow.
    Jim ad Sharon Fulton

    Jim and Sharon Fulton
    June 16, 2015
    Richland, WA
  • I’m very sorry for the loss of Sally and send my condolences to the entire family. I knew Sally many years ago when she was involved in the Meadow Springs 9 hole ladies golf group. She was always so encouraging to me as I was not the best golfer in the world! We sure had fun and I appreciate the skills and organization she brought to the group. Sally was a sweetie and we will all miss her!

    Sue Peterson
    June 21, 2015
    Richland, WA
  • Dear Bob & Family, You have lost a wonderful wife & mother, and the Tri-Cities has lost a dear friend that had devoted many hours volunteering her time & efforts in helping us build a strong community.
    Whenever I think of Sally Ann, I’ll remember her big smile, her enthusiasm and always encouraging words of friendship & support. What a great lady!
    Please know that I consider myself blessed to have known her & you have my deepest sympathy on your loss.

    Kris Watkins
    June 18, 2015
    Tri-Cities
  • Dearest Bob and family.. our thoughts , prayers and hearts are with all of you as you navigate thru the loss of a very dear wife, mother and friend Sallyann!
    So many wonderful memories of her can make this perhaps easier for all of us. And that warm smile!!.. one that we will always remember.
    God Bless and F,R,O,G

    Bob and Coke Devine
    June 18, 2015
    Bonney Lake WA.
  • Sally Ann was a great lady and she will be missed. Bob, your are a living example of commitment to your marriage We will pray for you and Sally Ann. Your friendship has always been important to us. God Bless You

    Judy and Joe Nemec
    June 18, 2015
    Knoxville, TN 37922
  • Bob and Children,
    Sally Ann was a wonderful. loving lady. We were privileged to know her. We hope your memories of her are very sweet and will sustain you.
    Love, Eric & Michele

    Eric and Michele Gerber
    June 17, 2015
    Richland, WA
  • Bob thinking of you and your family and so sorry for your loss. Sally was a wonderful person and an inspiration to so many! She had many wonderful traits but as I am sure you all know she had a very special way of making people welcome and very special.
    May the Lord bless you and give you strength and comfort in this time of sorrow.
    Jim ad Sharon Fulton

    Jim and Sharon Fulton
    June 16, 2015
    Richland, WA
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