R. Jean Powers

R. Jean Powers, 94, of Hatfield, MA and a former long-time resident of South Deerfield passed away on Monday, February 19, 2024, following a period of failing health. Jean was born on January 19, 1930, in Greenfield, MA. She attended Holy Trinity School in Greenfield and then enrolled in the Cooley Dickinson School of Nursing in 1948, graduating as an R.N. in 1952. She spent an exciting period interning in NYC with nursing school buddies and kept in contact for years with local alums. In retirement she volunteered for many years back at her Alma Mater, CDH, finally retiring in 2014.

Jean met Mark E. Powers while finishing nursing school and was married in 1952. The couple moved to South Deerfield where Mark founded Powers Construction Company (subsequently POWCO) which he ran/managed into his 80s. Mark predeceased her in December 2012. Jean spent many years raising her family in South Deerfield, as well as caring for Mark’s father, James and her own mother Helen Rita in their later years. She is survived by sons Mark of CT., Matt (& Jean) of Hatfield, MA, Christopher (& Pam) of Florence, MA and Thomas of Greenfield, MA, and daughters Kathy of Florence, MA and caregivers Sheila (& Mark) of Whately, MA and Mary Liz (& Joe) of Hatfield, MA. Her former daughter in law, Milda Powers of CT. and her sister in law, Helen Jenkins of Greenfield and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her grandchildren; Ryan, Elise, Patrick, Meghan, Jamie, Paul, Rory, Siobhan, Eamonn, Kavan, Liza, Lilli and Tom as well as 5 great grandchildren). She was predeceased by two sons: John (Jack) in 2020 and Terence (Squawky) in 2019, as well as Terry’s beloved wife Becky (Telega) in 2003.

Jean’s lifetime hobby (given the number of children she raised) was cooking. In later years she had a difficult time cooking for just one, rather than the dozen she was accustomed to! She always had a platter of something ready for company, Sunday dinner, the next block party or holiday, or mystery Tupperware to send across the street for son Terry (Squawky). He happily washed and returned them, waiting for their return.

In her retirement years, as well as volunteering, Jean was an avid reader, did crosswords, enjoyed tag sales (or any sales), and spent time shopping, tag sale poking, and having meals out with daughters Mary Liz and Sheila, as well as visiting their homes to spend time in the company of their husbands and pets. She enjoyed animals, just so long as she no longer had to take care of them! She cared for many family pets over the years which included rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, frogs, dogs, even snakes (thanks Christopher). Her favorite to tell tales about was Sam the basset hound whose travels throughout town to the local bakery and police station were folklore. She thanked her son Mattie for those tales and that hound!

She also enjoyed family holidays which were loud, mostly fun-filled, and having her grandchildren there for visits. Grandson Ryan even brought his thermometer to prove the upstairs was FREEZING, GRAMMY! She nursed us all, everyone, over her lifetime, as well as any number of neighbors & family friends in South Deerfield. From being an only child to a household of a dozen was the norm for Jean and she never regretted it. We wish you Godspeed Mom… Say hello to Becky and Terry, Peg and John, Edmund, Vera, your alums, and the rest of the gang for us!

PER JEAN’S WISHES, ALL SERVICES WILL BE PRIVATE WITH BURIAL IN THE SPRING AT BROOKSIDE CEMETERY IN SOUTH DEERFIELD. The family kindly ask that in lieu of cards or flowers a donation be made in Jean’s memory to the S. White Dickinson Memorial Library, Attn: C. Steiner, P.O. Box 187, Whately MA 01093; or to the Cooley Dickinson Volunteer Department, Attn: Robin Kline, Dir. Of Volunteer Services, 30 Locust Street, Northampton MA 01060.