Ilovene N. Potter's Obituary
Northwest Aviator takes her last flightIlovene N. Potter passed away on February 14th, 2006 in Puyallup, Washington. Ilovene was a well known pilot in aviation circles. Ilovene earned her license in 1941 flying an Aeronca C-3 the Taylor Craft, Cub, Waco, and the Porterfield. Due to lack of funds and a growing family, she stopped flying in 1950. She resumed her flying career again in 1960. In rapid succession she earned her Private, Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, Seaplane, and Helicopter ratings. Next came Instructors and Advanced Ground Instructors ratings.In the late 60Â's, she earned her Airline Transport rating. She became Chief Pilot for a large flight school on Boeing Field, working as instructor and Charter Pilot flying Traffic Watch, Photo Flights, Forest Service work, and Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources flights. During this time she became an FAA flight examiner for Private, Commercial, Multi-engine, and instrument ratings.Ilovene was the first woman in the State of Washington and the 50th woman in the free world to receive a helicopter rating. She was Captain of the first US Helicopter team to compete in a world championship. This was held in Middle Wallup, England in 1973. The following year she became a judge and observer for the next championship held in Vitebsk, Russia. (The US took second place). After teaching her husband to fly the helicopter, they became the first husband-wife team in this State and the 17th in the USA. In 1984 she became a certified Federation Aeronatique International Judge. She served two years on WACOA, the WomenÂ's advisory committee on aviation in Washington D.C.Every office in the Ninety-Nines, chapter and section, has been served by her guiding hand, as well as serving two years on the International Board of Directors and two years on the International Nominating Committee as its Chairwoman. She was treasurer and Chairwoman of the nominating committee for the Whirly-Girls, each for two years. She was president of the Whirly-Girls in 1984. Her flying hours have taken her into every state in the union, including Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. She competed in 9 Powder Puff Derbies, 1 Angel Derby, 7 Palms to Pines derbies, 1 Lipstick Derby and 6 Pacific Air races. She has received the AOPA pilot of the year award, the NW section 99Â's achievement award and Past PresidentÂ's Achievement award. In 1988 she was inducted into the Memory Lane at the Forest of Friendship in Atchison Kansas. She was an active voice on the Board of Directors of the Museum of Flight for the Washington State Centennial Celebration. She was inducted into the Washington State Aviation Hall of Fame, and had received the Whirly-Girls annual Â"Arlo LivingstonÂ" award for lifetime aviation achievement. She traveled to Washington DC recently to attend the Whirly-Girls 50th Anniversary dinner.She has lived at Merrill Gardens in Puyallup for 17 years. There are many friends and family who will miss her greatly.She is survived by her sons, David Potter, Dr. Greg Potter, and Ted Potter. Sisters Mrs. Frank Parks (Alfhild), Mrs. Wayne Peters (Esther), Mrs. Joseph Hemel (Vivian). Services will be held on Saturday February 25th 2006 1:00PM at the Mountain View Garden Chapel, in Tacoma with grave side to follow. Reception on Saturday, February 25th, 3:00 PM in the Merrill Gardens dining room.In lieu of flowers please send donations to: Whirly Girls Scholarship FundWG Treasurer Lisa Pendergrass,PO Box 759, Tryon NC 28782.
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