Submitted by Laurie Lemek AIFD
February 2023 will mark the second anniversary of the passing of floral icon Patti Pottle AIFD.
Passing during COVID required that her loved ones honor her in a beautiful, but virtual graveside service, and I was fortunate enough to attend.
Patti and her husband Brad co-owned Pottle Florist in Melrose and Hoffman Florist in Boston, which they co-owned for 25 years until Patti’s retirement in 2000.
She was inducted in to AIFD® in 1982 and served AIFD® on both regional and national levels including serving as National President from 1994-1995. She served as Symposium Coordinator in Boston in 1992, where I got to know her while working on floral decor for my first luncheon.
As a young shop owner and newly inducted member of AIFD®, I was lucky to be mentored by this incredible woman.
Patti’s larger-than-life presence, a can-do attitude, peppered with her hearty laugh, were just some of the leadership qualities that made her a respected mentor and leader.
In 2012, Patti received the AIFD Special Award of Recognition for her leadership and dedication to the floral industry, FELLOW.
Along with Patti’s passion for floral design, she loved all animals. She was a lifelong supporter of many humane societies. Her own dogs, especially her last pup, Mitzi, were very dear to her.
Patti’s last request was floral oriented and was simply “Please purchase a floral arrangement for a loved one to support your local florist during this pandemic.”
Her family donated many of her AIFD® possessions to the AIFD Foundation, including her Presidential Gavel, and her Massachusetts license plate “AIFD” to raise scholarship funds for future generations of AIFD®.
Fittingly, the highest bidder for the Massachusetts “AIFD “license plate was NE member Joan Marie Driscoll AIFD, who resides in Canton, MA. Patti’s legacy rides on!
