Janet O'Leary

Janet O’Leary, age 74, of Peabody, formerly of Wakefield, passed away at Winchester Hospital on April 17, 2026 after a brief illness.

She was born in Melrose on November 21, 1951 and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Theresa (DeMaso) O’Leary.

Janet was raised in Everett and was a graduate of Everett High School. She was a long-time resident of Wakefield before moving to Peabody. Janet was a Referral and Authorization Coordinator for Beverly Hospital for many years until her recent retirement. She was an avid skier and tennis player and had a great fondness for the many animals in her care. Janet enjoyed her home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the many friends and family who spent time with her there tubing on the Saco river or skiing the mountains or scouring the shops for decor from local artists. Janet was a gracious hostess and an extraordinary cook who rarely needed a recipe. She showed her love through food, always had room at her table and never let you leave hungry or thirsty.

She was the beloved wife of the late Woodrow W. “Bing” Potter, Jr., the loving sister of Jeffrey O’Leary of Chesapeake, VA, Jerry O’Leary and his wife Carol of Saugus, MA, and Jayne O’Leary and her partner Paul Gateas of Center Conway, NH caring step-mother of William Potter and his wife Tracey of Northborough, MA and Brian Potter and his wife Clarissa of Germantown,TN. She was the grandmother of Jackson, Ella, Tyler, Morgan and Quinn. She also leaves her niece and nephew, Madelyn (O’Leary)Lacroix and her husband Evan and Matthew O’Leary.

Her Funeral Service will be held in the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Tuesday, April 21 at 11:30am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38501.