Joann Powell

JoAnn Powell, age 76 passed away from complications of pneumonia on September 14, 2009 at Longmont United Hospital. She was held in the arms of her loving husband of 56-1/2 years, Murray, and was surrounded by other family and friends. She died as she lived--on her own terms with God as her co-pilot. Mother Teresa said do ordinary things with extraordinary love. That is how Jo lived her life.She was born November 24, 1932 in Bozeman, MT. She graduated from Rosary High School in 1950, married her ever-lovin husband, Murray Powell of Butte, Montana on February 14, 1952, They began their life together ranching in Clancy, MT. The children arrived in rapid succession a factor that probably prompted the major life decision for Murray to go to dental school in Chicago, IL. So the young couple from Montana loaded up the wagon and headed to Illinois. They eventually settled in Longmont, CO where dad practiced dentistry and mom juggled her large family life with being secretary/bookkeeper for the practice, Raywell Ranch, and her interior design business. She held deep convictions about ways to keep her large family connected. We gathered around the dinner table at 6 o'clock every evening--no outside interruptions allowed. She shared her faith with each of us gathering us closely together and sharing in our family prayer circle. Her deep faith helped keep her and our family grounded throughout her life. She will be dearly missed. She lived life to the fullest always planning the next trip, event, or activity never wanting to miss a moment of life. Family vacations to Swan Lake in Montana every summer helped us keep and grow our relationship with her large extended family. She stayed in close contact with her dear sisters Mary, Pat and Liz and their families often providing a warm, welcoming environment for many nieces and nephews over the years. Her greatest pleasure was bragging about her 12 beautiful grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Whether spending time camping, shopping, attending sporting events, music concerts, plays, weddings and other noteworthy events she was involved in every part of each of their lives. Her home is our home and every grandchild had the opportunity to spend time alone with her at different times in his or her lives. Her guidance will be missed.Jo has a large group of dear friends with diverse interests from her Sacred Sisterhood book club to beer/bridge, dance club and regular potluck gatherings. She always made time for her dear friends. There will be an empty place at the table, but she left everyone she touched with beautiful memories of their time together.Jo was an advocate for causes close to her heart like the Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley, The Our Center and the March of Dimes. A firm believer in giving back to the community she lived in she was active in the St. Vrain Historical Society, past president of Longmont Newcomers Club, on the Board of Directors for the Council of Catholic Women, and promoter of children's dental health as puppeteer for the Sunshine Club sponsored by St. Vrain Dental Wives. She spent the last years of her life struggling with asthma and other debilitating physical ailments. She leaves a legacy that she is a warrior and that with God's help, Irish temperament, and her own determined will one can lead a beautiful life. She lived as she died, on her own terms. She is finally pain free and at peace with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.She is survived by her sweetheart of 56 ½ years Murray R. Powell, Longmont, CO and six children, Teresa Blackwood of Dickinson, ND, Lori (James) Bendickson, Rock Hill, SC, Michelle (David) Redabaugh, Haymarket, VA, Mike (Joanie) Powell, Longmont, CO, Bill (Elaine) Powell, Bayfield, CO and Mary (Donald) Vigil, Delta, CO. She is further survived by 12 grandchildren Brian, Kori and Kristi Jo Blackwood; Aubrae and Jonas Bendickson; Jeffrey, Nathan, Matthew and Dori Jo Redabaugh; Tessa Powell, Michael and Stephen Vigil and five great-grandchildren, two sisters, Elizabeth (Liz) Swingle, of Bozeman, MT and Mary Pouliot, of Helena, MT and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas H. and Nellie Ann Marley and her sister Patricia (Pat) McKenna. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley or charity of your choice.Vigil Service will be held at 5:00 on Friday, September 18 followed by visitation with the family and sharing of her life until 7 p.m. at Howe Mortuary in Longmont. A celebration of her life and Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Church, 1000 W. 15th Ave. Longmont, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, with a reception following immediately after at Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman St. Longmont, CO.