Marie Galluzzi-Potter

Marie Galluzzi-Potter, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and longtime member of the Lawrence community, passed away on October 6, 2026, leaving a legacy of family, friendship, faith and generosity. She was 91.

She was born Theresa Marie Antoinette Hubbell on Dec. 18, 1934, in Belcourt, ND, to Elbert D. Hubbell and Clara R. Grant. Her life began on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation and, while her childhood took her to many places, she often returned to Belcourt to her beloved grandmother, Petronelle Grant, and to life centered around St. Ann's Catholic Church and her Chippewa people. Though times were sometimes difficult, life was made rich by the laughter of a large extended family, dancing to music of the fiddle and piano, abundant choke cherries and June berries, and ‘bundles’ of amusing items provided to Native Americans by well-meaning organizations. This zest for life and humorous wit was formed there and were hallmarks of her personality that endeared her to so many people.

Marie graduated from school in Fort Yates, North Dakota, where she met Wallace E. Galluzzi who was a teacher and coach on the reservation. They were married July 21, 1954, and lived there for 10 years, working with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. They also lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota, for a time until their final assignment took them to Haskell Institute in 1963. The Galluzzi family lived on the Haskell campus and Marie worked hard behind the scenes to support Wally's endeavors to take Haskell from a trade school to an accredited junior college, often entertaining tribal leaders and U.S. government officials in her home. She juggled all of this as a busy housewife, raising four children and cooking for hungry teenagers who enjoyed being in the warm environment she helped create.

When her children began leaving home Marie worked for the United Way Fund of Douglas County, providing clerical and administrative support for 12 successful campaigns. She later worked at the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce in membership support. She was known to liven up the workplace atmosphere and bring people together through food and humor. Marie loved decorating, especially at Christmas time, and visitors at her home in later years hold fond memories of her many themed trees.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband Wally in 1984. Upon his passing she organized a group for widows and widowers to help them with the difficult transition. The group focused on simple acts of caring and having fun together. Ten years later she married Donald W. Potter on January 22, 1994. He passed away in 2014. Marie also was preceded in death by her stepdaughter, Sheryl Potter.

Marie is survived by one brother, Douglas Hubbell (Esther) of St. Cloud, Minn.; children, Gregory Galluzzi of Austin, TX, Annette Galluzzi of Arlington, VA, Daniel Galluzzi of Lawrence, KS, and Gary Galluzzi (Angela) of Platte City, MO; 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; stepchildren Stacy Orr (Dru Rachaner) of Smithville, Mo., and Lynn Potter (Nancy), of Lawrence, and their 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, followed by interment at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Rosary will be Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5 pm at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, followed by visitation until 6:30 pm. The rosary will be live streamed via a link on the Rumsey-Yost web site.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044.

To leave a message for Marie's family, please visit Rumsey-Yost.com.