Yvonne Marie Powers

1928 - 2010

Yvonne Marie Powers, 82, passed away peacefully in Ventura on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010.

Yvonne was born on May 12, 1928, in Dallas, Texas, the only child of James Arnold and Lillian Cason Arnold. She graduated Ladywood School in 1946 and later attended St. Marys College in Notre Dame, Ind. Yvonne loved books, movies, current events, and was forever fascinated by and curious about changes in the world. "Nana" was first and foremost a mom, a grandma, and a great-grandma. She had five children as well as eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She also found time to put in 10 years with the Ventura County Probation Department in addition to many years as a volunteer teachers aide. Yvonnes family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues will remember her as a gentle, kind, humorous, curious, and generous person. She was a true and loyal friend, with many of strong and deep relationships spanning more than 50 years. She also enjoyed volunteering and attending events of all kinds at Holy Cross School and St. Bonaventure.

It gave her great joy to see her grandsons, Soren and Loren, graduate from St. Bonaventure High School. She was very proud of them and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Katy, Claire, Janie, Chris, Harrison, Wyatt, and Charlie. Yvonne was twice widowed: Her first husband, Robert T. Carville passed away in 1960, and her second husband, E. J. Ted Powers, passed away in 1992. Her eldest son, Ted, succumbed earlier this year following a valiant battle with cancer.

Yvonne, too, faced a number of medical battles of her own throughout the years, always with a positive, I have much to live for, I can beat this attitude. She was an inspiration for this and so many other things she did.

Yvonne is survived by her children, Suzanne, Tom, Jim, and Mike. Her extended family include Anneke and her dearest friends, Leila, Trudy, Sue, Pattie, and Mary Ann, to name just a few.

One of her passions was being one of the bookies, a collective nickname for members of her beloved book club. Yvonne touched many lives and was touched by so many in the community, too. She is and will be missed.

Yvonne and her family want to extend a very heartfelt "Thank you" to the skilled and caring doctors, nurses, and staff at the VCMC Hospital and Emergency Department. Its impossible to list everyone who helped Yvonne over the years, but there are some who deserve special recognition for their extraordinary service, concern, and friendship. These include Dr. Clark, Dr. Blickenstaff, Dr. Esherick, Dr. Guidotti, Dr. Helmer, Dr. Slater, and Dr. Ulrich, to name a few. VCMC's Nursing Director, Cyndie Cole, and Social Services Manager, Matthew Tuftee, were also above-and-beyond helpful on numerous occasions. In addition, we are grateful to the fine and caring staff at The Venturan Convalescent Center. Their collective professionalism, concern, and compassion helped to make Yvonne's final days restful, peaceful, and dignified. Father Steve Davorens bedside visits at The Venturan also brought her great comfort. Yvonne's family and friends will be forever grateful.

A Rosary for Yvonne will be recited at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home. Yvonne's memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 at Our Lady of The Assumption Church in Ventura. Her cremated remains will be laid to rest next to her husbands, E.J. Ted Powers, at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park following the service.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be sent to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, in memory of Yvonne Powers, at 2323 Knoll Drive, Suite 313, Ventura, CA 93003 (Tax #95-6096141).