1923 - 2015
HARTWICK - Doris Powers, 92, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2015.
She was born on May 24, 1923, in the Town of Hartwick, the daughter of Madge (Gregory) and Gerald Hughes. She grew up in South Hartwick, attended South Hartwick District School and graduated salutatorian from Hartwick High School.
She worked at Marlette's store in Mt. Vision and was a bookkeeper at Lynn Trailer in Oneonta during the war.
In 1943, she married William Powers and moved to Hinman Hollow where she became a valued member of the community and welcoming wagon for new families moving to the area.
She was a member of the Hinman Hollow Grange for 72 years, a leader of the Hartwick Hustlers 4-H Club, a member of the South Hartwick Home Bureau, a life-time member of the Hartwick Historical Society, and in 1999 was named Hartwick Citizen of the Year.
She was also an Election Inspector for the County and on the Co-operative Extension Executive Board. She was a devout Christian, grew up as a member of the Hartwick Methodist Church and after marriage she became a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Cooperstown.
She was the mother of nine children, a farm wife who grew large gardens and canned her own food.
Doris was an avid reader and loved reading to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was well-known for her Chinese Checkers skills and sending your ball in croquet. She was always young at heart and was still sledding at 90.
In recent years you could drive past the farmhouse and see her sitting on the porch swing watching her hummingbirds and sunsets.
The center of her life, and her dearest devotion and love was for Bill, her husband and partner for 72 years. She was his bookkeeper, manager, accountant and support. When he died this past July part of her went as well. She has now joined him for eternity.
Doris is survived by her five daughters, Shirley Dobkins of Costa Mesa, California, Nancy Wyant of Hyattsville, Maryland, Jean Barry of Hartwick, Annette Kalinoski and husband, Tom, of Fletcher, Vermont, and Jackie Fricke and husband, John, of Northfield, Vermont; two sons, William, Jr. of Milford, and Joseph and wife, Mary, of Pleasant Valley; 17 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Susan Gladstone of West Henrietta; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Bill; brother, Donald; and two daughters, Barbara and Judy.
Calling hours will be at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2015.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating.
The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Index.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the Hinman Hollow Grange, 1049 County Highway 45, Milford, NY 13807.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
