Marie E. Powers

Marie E. Powers, 89, a retired librarian, went home to God on July 15, 2017. The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 19, in J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with Rosary Service to be held at 7:00 p.m. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2017 in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1695 Wallenberg Blvd at 10:00 a.m. Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Marie was born in Bar Harbor, Maine. She was the daughter of the late Catherine M. and Reuben J. d'Aigle. She was a graduate of Bar Harbor High School and an honors graduate of Boston College. Before her marriage, she had taught English and Social Studies in various Massachusetts schools. In 1959, she married Edward C. Powers and left teaching to raise her family, which in time numbered five children, her "Only Treasures," she often said. When her children were older, she resumed her education, earning first a Master of Arts Degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, then a Master of Library Science from the University of New York in Albany. She began her library career in the Agawam Public Library in Massachusetts, then went on to the position of Head Librarian at the Somers Public Library in Connecticut. Among her many contributions there, she always said, the most important was recommending, promoting and finally, in 1988 seeing established, a modern, spacious library to replace an older one the town had long since outgrown.In 1989, Marie and Ed (who was then retired) moved to South Carolina.

In 1990, as a reference librarian, she joined the staff of Trident Technical College , from which she retired in 1998. Of her work there, she remembered the most unusual, but gratifying experience, being hugged by satisfied patrons, a response to her help she had never had before. Her life was one with many loves; her Catholic faith, her family, her work, music, the Maine shore, gardening, roses, theatergoing and reading. She was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in Charleston and a longtime volunteer in the Luce Memorial Library at Mepkin Abbey.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Edward C. Powers of Charleston, SC; sister, Dolores T. Barnes; daughters, Karen E. Lewis and Monica Powers; sons, Stephen and David Powers (Lisa); two nieces, eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Therese M. Powers Bull.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marie's name may be made to the Poor Clare Nuns, 37 McCauley Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690 or to The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph Church, 1695 Wallenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407.