Juanita Gilbert Powe

Juanita Gilbert Powe, 83, of Holland, died peacefully after a brief illness on July 13, 2016 surrounded by her loving daughters.

Mrs. Juanita Powe was born on November 20, 1932, in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of Russell and Lillian Gilbert. She grew up in Okeana, Ohio on a farm where they raised chicken and sheep.

When she was in junior high the family moved to Oxford, Ohio. After graduating from McGuffey High School she earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Miami University and taught several years in Dayton, Ohio.

She married William Clarke Powe, Jr. on June 9, 1956 in Oxford, Ohio. They moved to St. Joseph, Michigan where Bill enjoyed a 33-year-career with Whirlpool Corporation. Juanita was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mother to their daughters.  She moved to Holland, Michigan in 2011.

Prior to joining The First Congregational Church UCC, she and Bill were members of Fairplain Presbyterian Church for 45 years. She was a member of American Association of University Women and the Twin City Panhellenic. She enjoyed working part-time at Meskimen's, a high-end gift shop downtown St. Joseph. For many years she enjoyed participating in an antiques group. She loved music, her favorite being Dixieland jazz and musicals. She enjoyed travel, gardening, and entertaining, gathering monthly for meals with a gourmet food group. During the summer she loved Saturday morning brunch with church friends at the beach and Sunday evening band concerts on the bluff. She was known for her hospitality and note writing to encourage friends and church members. She served as the church librarian for many years and until her death was an avid reader. She also enjoyed sports, especially watching grandsons play lacrosse and following the Hope College men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

Survivors include three daughters -- Anne Bennett (Steve) of Marietta, Ga, Barbara Mortonson (Ted) of Tampa, Fla., and Lynne Powe of Holland, Mich.; four grandchildren -- Jeff, Lara, Ted and Max; and two great-grandchildren -- Claire, and Natalie.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James, who was killed in World War II. She leaves many dear friends and a loving church family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, in the sanctuary of The First Congregational Church UCC,  2001 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, Michigan with The Rev. Dr. Robert Braman officiating.  A family visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. and following the service. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph, Michigan at a private service.

The family would like to thank the staff at Freedom Village Inn for their love and care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to either The First Congregational Church UCC of St. Joseph, Michigan, the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area - Freedom Village Resident Scholarship Fund or Hospice of Holland.