Gloria C Powers

Gloria Powers, 78, was born on May 16, 1938 in Westbrook, and on May 8, 2017, surrounded by family, she passed away at Gosnell House after a brief illness. Gloria, who lived her life in Portland, was always concerned with the comfort and enjoyment of others. She was a wife, mother of five, a nurse, a consummate mother and homemaker to all. Gloria was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for all, but particularly for family gatherings. Over the years she collected a large library of cookbooks. She also loved to watch food and cooking channels. Tales of her Christmas gift baskets filled with decorated cookies, famous whoopie pies and fudge abound! The holidays were magical with decorations, and always food.

Gloria’s career began as a nurse working for Dr. Zolov in Portland, followed by a time at the Jewish Home for the Aged. She started working nights at Maine Medical Center so that she could be with her children during the day. She did this for 16 years.

Always adventurous, Gloria would load the car with kids and head to Boston for museum visits during summer vacation, or day trips to New Hampshire and almost daily trips to Sebago Lake. She loved long drives through the White Mountains and up the coast of Maine. She enjoyed bowling, and after a health scare she took up swimming. It was in this endeavor that she achieved a milestone of swimming 2,000 miles. This feat landed her in the local newspaper.

Her fur babies, 4 cats, were very important to her and provided endless hours of entertainment with their antics. She loved gardening, no matter the size. She could grow corn in a coffee can. She also loved to feed the wildlife around her house, endlessly watching the birds and squirrels playing, often calling family to share what colorful birds were showing up at the feeders.

Gloria was married to the love of her life, Bernard, for 44 years. She was predeceased by him in 2001. She is survived by her five children, Kathy and her husband Merrill of Westbrook; Stephanie of Portland; Bernard of Portland; Anne and her husband Keith of Ellsworth; Shawn and his wife Leticia of North Carolina; 5 beloved grandchildren; Karina, Joshua, Stephen, Kelsie and Seth; and 1 great grandchild, Haley. She also leaves her sister Patty and her husband Walton of Gorham and her sister Sharon of Mississippi as well as many nieces and nephews.

There will be a service of remembrance for Gloria on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Jones, Rich & Barnes in Portland with a reception to follow.

You may offer your condolences or share your stories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com