Mary A. Powers' Obituary
Mary A. Powers (née Percival), age 95 of Independence, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, July 29th, 2026.
Born February 16th, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the beloved daughter of the late Alice (nee Cushing) and Ralph Percival. She married the love of her life, Jack Powers, upon his return from the Korean conflict. They met on the first day of fifth grade, when she came home and told her mother that she "met the man that she was going to marry." They forged a wonderful life over 73 years of marriage.
She is the beloved mother of John (Julie), Pat (Andrea), Ann Glaser (Mike), Martin, Margaret Reed (Sam); devoted Grandma to Bridget Mischak (Rick), Michael Calvey (Marcina), Kelly Dzik (Jeremy), Erin Gaub (Josh), Allison Deyarmin (Joe) Natalie Lonjak, Melissa Burant (Kevin), Jack Powers (Megan), Rachel LaGuardia (Tony), Samuel Reed (Hannah), Emily Reed and Rebecca Reed and Great-Grandma to twenty-two. She was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Shawn Calvey (Kelly), Connor Reed, and Grace Reed, as well as her siblings, Al, Pat, and Ralph Percival.
Mary was the loving matriarch of a large family. Her legacy of togetherness and determination closely bound five different generations in bonds that will long outlive her. Mary never missed a sunset at the cottage that she and Jack booked for their children and grandchildren for twenty years. She developed many close friendships in St. Tim's, St. Columbkille, and St. Michael that lasted her lifetime.
Mary always found ways to give, whether it was time nurturing grandchildren or creative cross-stitch, crochet, and quilting for family or those in need. She used her talents in acts of service, crocheting beautiful blankets for cancer patients at the Cleveland Clinic and for her family. Her projects will live on as cherished keepsakes for the family she loved so dearly. She was curious and wise - an avid reader with a selfless spirit. Above all, her life was one of unwavering devotion to her faith, friends, and family.
Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, August 8, 2026 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 6912 Chestnut Rd., Independence, at 12:00 p.m. (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). A private burial will take place at a later date at The Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant House, PO Box 758636, Topeka KS 66675-9986
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