Christine Helen Powell

Christine Helen Powell Born June 18, 1953 - Passed August 18, 2025
Christine Helen Powell, affectionately known as Tina, passed peacefully on August 18th, 2025, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Dementia. She was surrounded by the people who loved her most - the very same people she spent her life cheering on, dressing up, feeding, photo-documenting, and occasionally bossing around with a loving smile.
From the moment she met her husband Bob at just 15 years old (he was 16 - and yes, she always made sure you knew that), the spark between them never dimmed. Their love story was not just romantic - it was epic. Through decades of globe-trotting, road trips, kids/grandkids sports, and parenting wins and whoopsies, they built a partnership that was equal parts humor, devotion, and synchronized eye rolls. Together, they showed us that love could be silly, steady, selfless, and spectacular.
Tina's enduring role - though she had many: Wife, Mother, Nana, Little Woman, Queen of Holidays - was "Memory Keeper." She was the kind of person who even made a Tuesday afternoon feel like a photo-op. Her dedication to preserving family memories meant that our lives were documented in over 20 lovingly hand-crafted photo books. The irony? While her illness slowly took pieces of her memory, she had already given us the gift of never forgetting. What started as a way to remember for herself became the scrapbooked roadmap of our entire lives.
Tina was magic in motion - a mix of mischief and maternal instinct, glitter and grit. From turning grandchildren into pirates and fairies with bedtime stories to blasting Broadway show tunes in the red minivan, she made ordinary days feel like productions worthy of standing ovations.
She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 51 years, Robert Powell, who never left her side - not for a second. Her children, Emily Powell (Husband Matthew Raffaele) and Ryan Powell (Wife Jenna Powell), and her grandchildren, Wren Hyjurick, Kristen Hyjurick, Garrett Powell, and Faith Powell, will carry her sparkle, sass, and loving spirit forward.
Please Join Us in Celebration Sunday September 21st at Southpointe from 2-5pm In a Celebration of Life, Love and the Launching of a Lasting Legacy.
Tina's commitment to service and equity does not end here. In her honor, The Powell Foundation is being established to support those experiencing homelessness - a cause close to her heart. In lieu of flowers- and IF you know Tina she's got the flowers taken care of already! The family invites donations to The Powell Foundation (or items purchased from an Amazon wish list curated with care and purpose). Tina was dedicated to making sure everyone had what they needed - a warm coat, shoes, or an extra plate at dinner.
We love you whole bunches - always have and always will, as we all remember to have hope for the future because: tomorrow is another day!
Donations in Honor & Memory
Please visit: PowellFoundationPittsburgh.org Amazon: Copy/paste https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2U390ZHG9WEBK?ref_=cm_sw_r_em_ud_ggr-subnav-share_G16JYMYPRDCEBAZQSJB3_2 To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christine, please visit our floral store.