LOUISE N. POWLOVICH

LOUISE N. (BIRMINGHAM) POWLOVICH - JERICHO - Louise N. (Birmingham) Powlovich, 54, of Jericho, passed away at her home, Sept. 18, 2012, surrounded by her loving family and closest friends, following a year-long, courageous battle with cancer. Louise was born on Dec. 8, 1957, in Rutland, to Reginald and Elizabeth Birmingham. She grew up in Pittsford, where she attended Lothrop Elementary School and graduated from Otter Valley Union High School in 1975. Shortly after, Louise became employed at the Vermont State Police Academy in Pittsford. She met the love of her life and husband of 33 years, Thomas Powlovich, who was attending the academy at the time. After a brief courtship, Tom and Louise were married in 1979. Louise held many jobs, from providing day care to area children, cleaning houses, cooking at West Bolton Golf Course, serving as a teacher's aide at Browns River Middle school in Jericho, and working as a sales clerk at Chittenden Mills Beverage in Jericho. A constant amid all of her work was Louise's love of people and interacting with people. She was as charismatic as they come, embracing all whom she came in contact with, with undying love and support. It is safe to say that anyone who came in contact with Louise thereafter called her a friend. A free spirit, she touched the lives and hearts of many. In addition to being a wonderful and supportive wife to Tom, Louise's most important job was to be a mother and best friend to her three children. She always ensured that her life revolved around her children's lives. She was a great role model and many of her traits and values shine through in each of them today. Louise was also a mother to many of the children in the community. With a passion for being involved in their lives, she taught swimming lessons and organized games. Most importantly, she was their sounding board and imparted invaluable advice. Louise was an advocate and a role model for "being yourself." Her loving and compassionate personality was lifechanging and liberating for all who knew her. The children whose lives she touched will always be thankful for her valuable lessons and for having her in their lives. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Powlovich of Jericho; daughter, Jamie Lee Powlovich of Brooklyn, N.Y.; daughter, Kristi Beth Powlovich of Reston, Va.; son, Chad Thomas Powlovich and fiancee, Lauren Gilligan, of Burlington; mother, Elizabeth Birmingham of Pittsford; sister, Anne Pelkey and husband, Hank, of Pittsford; sister, Yvonne Grechko and husband, Tim, of Boynton Beach, Fla.; sister, Jeannie Freshour and husband, Dave, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; brother, Thomas Birmingham and wife, Helenna, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and brother, Robert Birmingham and wife, Marcy, of Groton, Mass. Louise also leaves behind the "apple of her eye," granddaughter, Nevaeh Thomas; mother-in-law, Doris Powlovich of Greenfield, Mass.; and several nieces, nephews, and her best friend of 45 years, Susie Winston of Pittsford. Louise was predeceased by her father, Reginald Birmingham; and her brother, Edward "Butch" Birmingham. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at Browns River Middle School in Jericho. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Louise's life will be held at the same location following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the VNA Hospice Program, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.