Mary Louise Powell

Mary Louise Smith Powell, 92, a Norwich native, passed away of COVID-19 on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, CA.

Born on July 31, 1928 in Norwich, NY, Mary Lou was the daughter of Agnes (Judson) Smith and Charles Anderson Smith. Mary Lou attended the Norwich City Schools and graduated from Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, PA. She graduated from Ogontz Junior College and attended Syracuse University.

On Nov. 4, 1950, she married Frank L. Powell, who passed away on May 9, 1995.

Mary Lou was a counselor and lifeguard for the girls at the YMCA Camp. She was active in both the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She worked at Frair’s Gift Shop and sold real estate for Leigh Bowman Agency. Mary Lou served on the board of the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and chaired the Hospital Gift Shop. She was also on the boards of the Chenango Valley Home, the Chenango County Council of the Arts, and the Chenango Lake Property Owners’ Association. She volunteered for the Red Cross Blood Bank and was an associate member of the Norwich Garden Club.

Mary Lou was predeceased by her husband, Frank, and her sons, Glenn H. Powell and Frank S. Powell II. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Charles A. Smith, Jr. and Hamilton J. Smith, and her sister, Mrs. Ray (Barbara) Scully. She is survived by several nieces and nephews and by her two granddaughters Olivia M. Powell of Los Angeles, CA and Caroline L. Powell of Oxford, NY.

A graveside service for Mary Lou will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery at a later date. Contributions in Mary Lou’s memory may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 37 West Main Street, Norwich, NY 13815.