Catherine Victoria Potillo

CATHERINE VICTORIA HOBBS POTILLO was born on December 2, 1929, to the late Charles Hobbs Sr. and Anna Reynolds Hobbs. She peacefully departed this life on Monday, September 15, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Charles and Anna Hobbs; her husband, Howard Potillo Sr.; her infant son, Howard Potillo Jr.; daughters, Anita Marie, Maxine Potillo Hobbs, and Patricia Potillo Cain; grandson, Michael Cain; great-grandson, Ryan Cain Jr.; brother, Charles Hobbs Jr.; and sister, Elender Louise Hobbs Dorsey. Catherine received her early education at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and went on to attend Carver Vocational-Technical High School, where she majored in dressmaking. However, she never pursued that profession, her true passion was cooking. As a child, Catherine cherished summers spent in Calvert County with her grandmother, Rosa Locks Reynolds. On the last day of school, she, Louise, and Olivia would be whisked away to spend the entire summer there. One of her fondest memories was washing ribbons for Sunday service at Brooks Chapel and picking fresh vegetables from her grandmother’s garden. Catherine’s strong work ethic showed early. At just 14, she began working after school for Morgan & Millard. By 15, she was preparing potato salad for Reid’s Drug Store; though underage, she was hidden in the basement when the manager came by. She later held jobs as a shampoo girl at a salon and did light housekeeping. Her passion for cooking led her to work for Waters Catering before eventually launching her own business, Catherine’s Party Helper. She later retired from Wallace H. Campbell & Associates to enjoy life with her “retired” husband. Catherine was introduced to a tall, handsome man by her sister Louise, and after a brief courtship, she married Howard B. Potillo on a snowy New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1948. Their home was full of life and love, especially with a house full of daughters. There was never a dull moment, BBQs in the yard, trips to Fort Smallwood and Carr’s Beach, and countless memories. Catherine and Howard especially enjoyed attending Dunbar Class of ’43 events and traveling together. Catherine had a gift for entertaining. No one was ever turned away from her table. She welcomed friends and neighbors with popcorn, chips, and Kool-Aid in the backyard. She was a loving mother, adoting grandmother, and a neighborhood favorite. Her grandchildren remember summer days splashing in a metal tub of water and a toy filled box in the dining room. She always referred to her children affectionately as “The Girls.” Fifteen years ago, Catherine and her late nephew Rodger Dorsey founded and enjoyed “The Lunch Bunch” which grew to include her nieces Gloria Dorsey, Danise Jones Dorsey and cousins Hazel Duggins and Angel Freeman. Catherine leaves to cherish her memory and legacy: daughters, Sandra Brooks and Terry Potillo; grandchildren, William Lonnie Fuller IV, Aaron Harrison (Altangla and Ollie), Robin Brooks, Tomika Jones (Cyrus Diego Sr.), Noree Victoria (William Beaman) and Ryan Cain Sr.; great-grandsons, Cyrus D. Jones Jr., Taji A. Harris, Khari Jones and Jaelin Cain; great-great-granddaughters, Azuri Cain and Cayza Mae Jones; godchildren, Phylicia Turner and Aaron Campbell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, including Cora White and Marjorie Williams.

Tributes

Catherine Victoria Potillo

December 2, 1929 - September 15, 2025