Mary Powers

Mary Katherine Powers 1910-2011 Mary Katherine Powers died on May 1, 2011 at the age of 100 at the Oak Knoll Medical Center in Framingham, Mass. She was a long time resident of Pittsfield, most recently residing at 118 Parker St. She was born in Pittsfield, September 18, 1910 daughter of Wesley and Titania Dardchuck Korobchuk, who had emigrated from Russia. She moved with her family four years later to Canaan, N.Y., where they maintained a family farm. Her father worked for the railroad. Mary was the second of 11 brothers and sisters. In spite of hard farm work, milking cows, delivering milk to some neighbors and helping with planting, etc., Mary valued education, walking several miles to a one-room school house and later walking even further to catch a train to Pittsfield to attend High School. Her father wanted her to continue to work the farm but she entered the Bishop Memorial School of Nursing in Pittsfield at the age of 22, eventually becoming a Registered Nurse. She married Edward Powers right after graduating from Nursing School in 1935. Mr. Powers died 1973 in Pittsfield. Her oldest child was born 1 year following her graduation. During her nursing career, she gave private care to individuals while caring for her growing family. Later she joined the nursing staff at the former Pittsfield General Hospital, eventually becoming a Nursing Supervisor. Caring for her family and helping them with their education was always a priority. Of her four children, two have PHD's, one is an Electrical Engineer and one is a Certified Airline Mechanic. After retiring from nursing, Mary lived independently at 118 Parker Street, until she reached he age of 97 after which she moved to Ashland, Mass., where her daughter Patricia could look after her. Unfortunately falls caused injuries that required her to need Nursing Home care. She is survived by her four children, Patricia Navin of Ashland, Mass., Richard Powers of Shrewsbury, Mass., Peter Powers of Pittsfield and Edward Powers of Charlotte, N.C. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and by two sisters, Katherine Poole of Lenoir City, Tenn., and Dora Davis of Erie, Pa. FUNERAL NOTICE: Mary Katherine Powers, died on May l, 2011. Funeral Services will be Friday, May 6, 2011 at 9 a.m. from the DWYER FUNERAL HOME with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Charles Church celebrated by Rev. A. Peter Gregory, Pastor. Burial will follow in St.Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday evening, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dwyer Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made for the fight against Breast Cancer to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure in care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.