Martha E. Powell

NORTHFIELD - Martha Ellen Peck Powell, of Northfield, passed away on Jan. 10, 2017. She had recently celebrated her 101st birthday, at Mayo Continuing Care. Ellen had spent the final six years of her long life at Mayo. The Powell family offers its deep appreciation to all Mayo staff who were part of Ellen's life, and who made her life safe and comfortable.

Ellen was one of four siblings, the children of Nettie Wiley Peck and Merritt Allen Peck, born on the family farm in Rowe, MA, in 1915. She grew up in Rowe and attended the local schoolhouse. Later, she boarded with families in Greenfield while attending Greenfield High School, commuting by train to the farm on weekends. Life on the farm took its toll. Her siblings all died before the age of 17: a brother, William, was stillborn; another brother, Merritt, died at 17 of encephalitis; her sister, Dorothy, at age 12 of internal organ failure. Having outlived her siblings, Ellen's strong will carried her through until her 101st year. Her will to survive gave her lifelong perseverance.

Ellen attended Mount Holyoke College, graduating in 1936. She graduated from Bennett College of Business, and later worked as assistant to the president of Tufts University. Ellen then attended the Yale School of Nursing, and graduated in 1942. She became a Volunteer Nursing Association nurse in New Haven, CT. During this time on Yale Mountain Club hikes throughout New England, Ellen met Fred Powell, a Czechoslovakian emigre and master's degree program student at Colgate University. They married in June 1954, and honeymooned in Europe. Ellen's son, Bill, was born in 1955, and daughter, Nancy, in 1958, during which time, Ellen and Fred made their home at Blair Academy, Newton, NJ. With Fred's award of a Fulbright Scholarship exchange, the Powells moved to Stade, Germany, where Fred taught in a local college.

Returning to the United States in 1960, Fred was offered a faculty position teaching Spanish and German at Norwich University. Ellen worked as a RN at the former Mayo Hospital. Later, Ellen worked for the state of Vermont in the Human Services Agency as a case worker. She retired in 1976 and turned to a long retirement of travel, and exploring new lands. Fred Powell died in 1978. Ellen and friend Marion Sherwood, of New Brunswick, Canada, traveled together visiting multiple continents, including Asia, Europe and Central America.

Ellen served as a member of the Mayo board of directors during the 1990s. Ellen was an active volunteer, including Retired Seniors Volunteers Program, Adult Basic Education and the local Northfield Observances. Ellen played a serious game of Scrabble; she and Dorothy Mitchell would play regularly during Dorothy's summer visits in Vermont.

Ellen lived in her South Village home for 43 years, and then, due to a fall and injury, first moved to Mayo in June 2010. She made a remarkable recovery and was able to move to the Assisted Living side in July. For the next two and a half years, Ellen was happy at Mayo Manor. Ellen Powell moved back to Mayo Rehab, after a hospital stay in January 2013. She was an active resident, and fond of the staff and her helpers every day.

Ellen leaves her family, including daughter Nancy Powell, of California, son, Bill, and daughter-in-law, Donna Jerry, of Calais, and her granddaughter, Alexis.

In honor of Ellen's wishes, there will be a private family service; Ellen's ashes will be honored and placed in the family lot in Hardwick, MA. Ellen's spirit would be honored by donations to Brown Public Library, the United Church of Northfield, or the Northfield Historical Society.