LUDLOW, Vt. – Wanda Lee Potwin Murphy, 77, of Ludlow, Vt., died on May, 26, 2026, at The Meadows in Rutland, Vt., surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Lebanon, N.H., the daughter of Harold Potwin and Irene Dube Potwin. Wanda grew up on a dairy farm in Hartland, Vt., along with her three siblings. She attended Hartland Elementary School and graduated from Hartford High School in White River Junction, Vt.
Wanda was blessed with two children: John Jennings, of Apple Valley, Minn., and Angela Murphy, of Proctorsville, Vt.
Over the years, Wanda was employed by Bausch & Lomb Optical, Ludlow Insurance Agency, and McCullough Insurance Agency. She enjoyed her conversations with local people and visitors to Ludlow when she worked at several area restaurants – The Hatchery, Trappers, and DJ’s.
Wanda married John F. Murphy Jr., her husband of almost 37 years, on Sept. 30, 1989. In her early years, she liked traveling to Myrtle Beach, Minneapolis, and several locations in Maine. She loved spending time with her daughter Angela and especially with her grandsons, Mathew and Ethan. Wanda was a generous and caring person. She was a strong woman and faced many challenges after a brain injury in 2012.
Wanda is survived by her husband, John; her daughter, Angela Murphy; her son, John Jennings; her brother Greg Potwin and his wife, Linda; and her six grandchildren, Mathew Finn Murphy and Ethan Alosi Murphy, and Geena, Haley, Felicia, and Michaela Jennings. Wanda is also survived by several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Lorraine Lindsey, and her husband, Ned; and her brother Ron Potwin and his wife, Janet.
We would like to thank everyone in the special care unit at The Meadows for their passionate care of Wanda. Thank you also to Bayada Homecare and Bayada Hospice for their heartfelt care over the last few months. Prior to her stay at The Meadows, Wanda had several wonderful in-home caregivers who assisted with her care and became great friends.
A funeral mass will be held at the Church of the Annunciation, 7 North Depot Street, Ludlow, Vt., on Friday, June 5, at 11 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, 43 High Street.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rutland Regional Ambulance, 275 Stratton Road, Rutland, VT 05701; or Fletcher Farm – Create Together Program, 611 Route 103 South, Ludlow, VT 05149.
Arrangements are being handled by Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home, Brandon, Vt.