Kathryn Emma Powell

Kay was born on January 21st, 1927 in Effort, Pennsylvania to Edward Wagner and Helen (Weiss) Wagner. She married Charles (Charlie) Powell in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania on August 27, 1949. Kay and Charlie were true soulmates whose union embodied joy, support, and love throughout all of their years together. The couple spent their early married life in Delaware and Pennsylvania where Charles taught high school. In 1956 Kay and Charlie delightedly welcomed their son Charles (Chuck) into the world and in 1961 the family moved to Riverside, California, where Kay dove head first into her community as a volunteer and active church congregant.

An avid gardener, Kay served as a docent at UC Riverside Botanic Gardens. She knew every plant by name and could tell visitors how to make them bloom. Her home garden was no exception to this knowledge and care. She loved to bask in the sun surrounded by her planted palette.

As an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, she used her gifts in service of others. Kay sang in the choir and served on the Church Council for many years. Besides participating in the Trinity choir she also expressed her love of singing as a long time member of the Moreno Valley Master Chorale. For nearly a decade, up until her passing, she prepared and served homemade meals for Banquets at Trinity (BAT), a ministry that provides meals to anyone in need of one. Trinity was the nexus of Kay’s social and spiritual life for which she held a deep and abiding faith.

Kay had an adventurous nature that she shared with her family throughout her entire life.

She and Charlie traveled the United States extensively, marking their destinations from coast to coast on a map displayed in the family office. After her husband passed away, Kay continued to enjoy traveling with her son, Chuck, whether it be to the nearby Sonoran desert or across the ocean to celebrate her grandson’s wedding in Thailand. Kay traveled abundantly with her extended family to celebrate births, weddings, holidays, and retirements. Her fierce spirit and fearlessness propelled her to celebrate her 80th birthday skydiving, a feat she repeated for her 85th birthday and again for her 90th birthday!

Kay will be remembered by many as a friend, dispenser of wisdom, surrogate mother, avid game player and welcoming hostess.

Kay is survived by her sister, Pauline Wagner Rufe; son, Charles (Chuck) Powell; grandsons Jacen Greene and Mackenzie Greene-Powell (Hannah); great-grandchildren Lillian, Maya, and Mazen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Powell, brothers, Buddy Wagner, John Wagner, Elton Wagner; sister Marie Wagner Cracolici; and her beloved granddaughter-in-law, Crystal Greene.

There will be a Celebration of Life to be held at Trinity Lutheran Church (5969 Brockton) in Riverside on Tuesday September 12th at 3pm.

We would like to acknowledge Kay’s close friends and neighbors; the members of Trinity Lutheran Church who provided love and support; and the Tarlani Hospice Team (Charity and Iris) who gave our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, tender and dignified care.

Kay and her family would be honored for any donations made in her memory to the Banquets at Trinity (BAT) Program which provides meals to anyone who needs one. Contributions can be made @trinityriverside.org/giving/ or sent to:

Trinity Lutheran Church

5969 Brockton Ave.

Riverside, CA 92506

Please reference “for BAT in honor of Kay Powell” in the memo or notes field.