December 5, 1942 - October 25, 2023
In Loving Memory of Marianne Potocki Hartman (1942-2023)
A passionate educator, Marianne Hartmann, peacefully passed away at 80 years old on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
Born in the Polish enclave of Trenton, New Jersey, in 1942 to parents John and Sophie Potocki, she attended Cathedral High School. Marianne was the first in her family
to go to university, earning scholarships to Trenton State College, where she achieved degrees in English and education.
For 37 years, she dedicated herself to teaching at Princeton High School, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of students. Her unwavering commitment to education was acknowledged with the prestigious Princeton University Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching in 1980.
Her literary inclinations ranged from the works of J.D. Salinger, William Shakespeare, and
Ernest Hemingway.
Beyond her teaching, Marianne had a passion for travel, a love for flowers, and an appreciation
of film. She delighted in celebrating birthdays with her close friends and exploring Manhattan
with visits to museums and theater. She practiced karate in her moments of vigor, and in
calmness, she completed the daily crossword puzzle with her family.
She is survived by her four siblings, Barbara Maruca of Colorado, John Potocki, Tim Potocki of
New Jersey, and Lori Potocki of Texas; as well as her son and daughter-in-law, John Hartmann
and Gia Wolff; and her cherished grandchild, Cassius of New York; and an extended family of
in-laws, nieces and nephews.
A Memorial service celebrating Marianne is scheduled for 11:00 am on Thursday, November 2, 2023,
at the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Home, 2141 South Broad Street, Hamilton, NJ.
Marianne will be remembered for her profound educational impact and commitment to family
and friends. Her memory will endure in the hearts and minds of those she influenced as a
generous mother, passionate educator, and compassionate sister.
Send a flower arrangement to the family →
Please sign our guestbook
Leave a tribute or memory in the comments area, below.
I’m so sorry to hear about Ms. Hartmann’s passing.
Ms. Hartmann’s quirky personality, her energetic passion for literature and humorous dissection of bad grammar made her one of my favorite and most influential HS teachers. She undoubtedly, albeit unknowingly, had a hand in my decision to study English in college, and to continue on to get my Masters in Education. I thought of her often over the years (especially when I heard the word “brouhaha“) and I will always be grateful for her passionate presence impactful teaching. She was a gem.