Merry Beth Powell

Merry Beth Powell (nee Blackburn) departed this life on July 4, 2022 in Greeley, CO. She was formerly a resident of Scituate, MA, Dallas, TX, Bellevue, WA, Boston, MA, San Francisco, CA, and many other locations across the country. Beth was born on August 31, 1952 in Logan, Utah to Martha Ilene Blackburn (nee Leslie) and Bryce Ernest Blackburn. As one of nine children, her siblings included Sheron Rose, Terry Bryce, Jerry Lynn, Kerry Dale, Perry Garth, Scherry Kaye, Ernie Sam, and Michael Wayne Blackburn.

Beth enjoyed a long career in medical records management. In the 1990s, Beth launched Powell Transcription Services. Over time and with technological advances, the field of medical transcription became largely obsolete. Beth then earned several advanced certifications as an Epic consultant, contracted by hospitals and universities across the nation who entrusted her to train their teams and oversee large-scale Epic software rollouts.

Beth was also a self-trained and accomplished artist, with oil paint, watercolor, and charcoal being among her favorite mediums. She loved gardening and would relocate her flowering cacti again and again until she found the perfect place for them to bloom. She found joy in gifting confections made from scratch, especially her chocolate covered cherries with marzipan filling and coconut haystacks. She had a soft spot for animals of every kind. She held a lasting and special love for San Francisco. She felt most at peace near the ocean.

As a single mom for many years, Beth worked exceptionally hard to create a life for her daughter that was filled with joy. A favorite tradition was their annual "R&R Day," when Beth would sign her daughter out of school to embark on a surprise adventure, which often included a visit to the Dallas Museum of Art or Seattle waterfront and lunch at a special restaurant. Beth always made the time to volunteer with the PTA, attended every sports game, hosted countless themed birthdays and slumber parties, and supported her daughter through every endeavor, regardless of how busy she was as a working mom. Every achievement realized by her daughter is, without question, a result of an extraordinary sacrifice made by Beth. As the years went on, Beth took on a role as advisor, talking with her daughter at the end of a long day or offering guidance after a sleepless night with teething babies. Beth delighted in every story and photo of her grandchildren.

Beth is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Erika and Andrew McMahon, and her grandchildren, Bowen and Woods, who affectionately knew her as "Honey." She was met in the afterlife by her husband, Thomas Ray Powell, who went before her in 1992.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to commit unexpected acts of kindness, relish even life's smallest joys, and hold Beth in memory when you do. A private service will be held.