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Ann Powers Obituary
July 23, 1945 - May 10, 2021
Ann Powers passed away on May 10, 2021 after decades of cleverness and grace in creating adaptations to progressive multiple sclerosis. Ann was born in Owensboro, KY and is predeceased by her parents C.C. and Virgie Mae Powers. Survivors include her sister Susan Powers Lee, her nieces Jessica and Kathy Lee, and many dear friends. Ann majored in art at Indiana University and continued her studies in the University of New Mexico MFA program. She started her bookseller career in Albuquerque and pursued it at several book stores in the Bay Area. For many years she was head of Cody's Special Order department, where she worked until her retirement. Ann was unique in how she promoted creativity, adventure, and independence, pairing a deep love of books and ideas with a wry sense of humor and refreshingly straightforward manner. Her nieces grew up with Ann's paintings hanging on their walls, reading Ann-approved books, and spending countless magical hours playing with the crate of dress-up clothes that was gifted to them by Ann. She always has and will continue to imbue the lives of those she met with imagination and art. There is no memorial service planned at this time. Contributions to Ann's memory can be made to any organization that advances art, books and/or sustainability.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Judy Kucera
July 30, 2022
After Ann died, Susan asked me to sort through her papers and send her those the family would want. Among them I found 2 - an autobiography she wrote when she was 8 or 9 (!), full of details about her young life, and a letter she got from her father after she was diagnosed with M.S., in which he told her never to let it define her.
This resonated because at a point early on she made it clear I had to treat her as herself, capable of dealing with her condition and living her life, so I did my best to let go of "managing" her. When she needed help, she asked, and our friendship survived.
My husband Mark and I saw her for the last time a few days before she died. She was due to go to a new nursing home, was excited, gave us a smile I´ll never forget. The next day she was hospitalized with pneumonia, and her 40+ years of tenacious struggle was over.
I miss her so, as I´m sure everyone privileged to have known her does too. We knew each other for 48 years.
Charles Hagen
June 10, 2021
I met Ann as a student in the Department of Art at the University of New Mexico and later as a friend and neighbor in San Francisco.
She was special with beauty, intellect and wit..and an incredible painter.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Charles Hagen
Friend
Winifred Walters
May 17, 2021
Ann was a regular volunteer at the Bookmark Bookstore (Friends of the Oakland Public Library). The Friends and our customers were fortunate to benefit from her expertise on books and literature. She was a presence on Fridays, her regular day, and maintained friendships with her Friday co-workers. We send our condolences to Ann's family and friends.
Anita May
May 16, 2021
I send Condolences to Ann's family and friends. I experienced Ann as generous and easy going co-worker and friend. She loved patronizing the Creative Growth center in Oakland and supporting their Artists. Like so many of her friends, I have jewelry and clothes that she gifted to me. She loved her years in New Mexico and sometimes talked longingly about going back. Sadly, In her last years she was in and out of hospitals but she kept a positive attitude always looking forward and was a good advocate for herself. I will miss our conversations.
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