Sally Bailey Powers

Obituary - Sally Powers

Sally Bailey Powers went home to be with the Lord on October 17, 2019 with her family by her side.  She was born in Portland on August 2, 1930, the youngest of three girls.  She had a wonderful childhood with her parents and sisters, and her goal in life was to give her own children the same wonderful childhood that she had.

Sally graduated from Deering High School in 1948 and then worked as a secretary in the City Clerk’s office in Portland.  After marrying Herbert L. Powers, Jr. in 1954, she worked for the Dean of the College of Education at University of Maine at Orono while her husband was getting his degree in Mechanical Engineering.  She was so valuable and well-liked that the college gave her an honorary degree when her husband graduated. 

After moving to Cumberland, Sally enjoyed many years as a homemaker and mother.  She was a wonderful mother who never missed a sporting event, play, recital or any other event in which her children participated.  Sally also adored her grandchildren and was especially grateful that she had the opportunity to be with her granddaughter Hannah every single day.  Her grandchildren remember all the games she played and tea parties she had with them throughout the years.

After her children were grown, Sally became a volunteer at Mercy Hospital in Portland.  She worked for more than 25 years at the front desk of the hospital greeting visitors, delivering flowers, and offering her help in countless other ways.  She prided herself on actually guiding visitors to where they needed to go, rather than simply pointing the way.  She always said that providing that extra help might, in some little way, brighten that person’s day.  Sally also spent many hours knitting hats for the Birthplace and enjoyed knowing that she was helping lots of little newborns.  She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at Mercy and was a valuable member of the hospital community for many years.  There is no doubt that she got back just as much as she gave through her volunteer work.

Sally loved the Lord with all her heart and was a prayer warrior for others.  She enjoyed many years attending bible studies with her friends and could always comfort others with her prayers and knowledge of scripture.  Her relationship with the Lord was a great comfort to her during her life, and it is comforting to her family to know that she is rejoicing with him now.

Sally is survived by her daughter, Julie Purdy and her husband Jeff and granddaughter Hannah, her son Paul Powers, his wife Kelly, grandchildren McKayla and Travis and step-grandchildren, Olivia, Julia, and Sophia.  She is also survived by her much-loved niece and nephew, Bette Twomey and Tom Stevens.

There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 11:00, at Brooklawn Memorial Park in Portland.  Pastor Darwin Vail will officiate.

Sally’s family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Brentwood Center for Health & Rehabilitation in Yarmouth for their care and compassion for her over the past several months.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to HART Adoption Center & Shelter for Cats, P.O. Box 351, 302 Range Road, Cumberland, ME 04021.  Sally was a huge animal lover and often spoke of her appreciation for all the HART Adoption Center does for cats.  

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