Barbara M. (Hall) Powers

Barbara M. Powers, of Lee, 93, died December 29th, at Mt Carmel Care Center in Lenox, MA. She was born in Dalton, MA to the late Christopher J. and Ida (Schnopp) Hall on September 11, 1927. She was the loving wife of the late James B. Powers, whom she married on May 3, 1952.  Barbara was a graduate of Dalton High School, Pittsfield Secretarial School, and also took classes at Elm's College in Chicopee. Before starting her family, Barbara worked as a secretary at G.E. in Pittsfield. After raising her three children, she worked as a secretary at the Mead Corporation in South Lee, and then as a secretary to the president of  Lee Bank before retiring in 1981. 

Barbara was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Lee, was a member of the St. Mary/St. Martha Sodality for many years, and also served as past President.

Barbara loved reading throughout her life and was also extremely creative. She sewed her children's clothes for many years, knit them winter socks and also taught sewing out of her home.  Her creativity continued with interior painting and stenciling of their 2 homes in Lee and Yarmouth, MA. Barbara was always available to lend a hand  in creating slipcovers and curtains, or volunteering for a weekend of painting at her children's homes.  She enjoyed quilting and produced several quilts for her children and grandchildren over the years. Her greatest passion in later years was cross stitching.  Barbara was happy to sit in her wicker chair on their screened in porch, watching the latest cross stitch project take shape as she worked. Their home was a gathering place for family and friends during the holidays, with plenty of food, libations, music, cribbage and  hours long card games. Family was always very important to Barbara. She enjoyed watching her family grow as she became a great grandmother for the 9th time this November, and pictures and videos of the little ones and their families always made her happy.

She loved traveling with her husband, Jim, and friends. Some places visited were Ireland, Italy, Germany, Egypt, and Jerusalem. In later years, she traveled with her friend, Teeti Scarafoni, touring Italy several times. She also had many years of wonderful adventures with her sister-in-law Betty Hodgkins and good friend Noni DeLugan. Winter vacations together in Florida, road trips to Maine or anywhere they could, and at least one weekly dinner together where the food, laughter and coffee royals were always flowing. She was blessed to have these friendships.

She was predeceased by her husband, James, in July 1998 and her brothers and their wives, Bernard Hall  and wife Maureen (Kelly) and John Hall and wife Rosemary (Daniels). She is survived by her children, Kathleen Furtek and her husband Edmund of Falmouth, MA., Eileen Grunwald and her husband Brian, and John Powers and his wife Michelle both of Pittsfield, MA. 

Barbara will also be missed by her grandchildren, Sarah Lawrence, Ethan Furtek, Carrie Furtek, Martha Ginsberg, Alicia Dulin and Heidi Grunwald, as well as her great-grandchildren Oakley, Mayla, Eddie, Kit, Boston, Nora, Asher, Liam and Thea.

A celebration of life for Barbara will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mount Carmel Care Center Activity Fund, in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St. Lee MA 01238

If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the family, please visit our web site at www.kellyfuneralhome.net