Katherine Anne Powell of Wooster passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at the Wooster Community Hospital. She was 56.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin on March 1, 1962, Kathy Anne grew up in Wooster and spent several years living in Oslo, Norway. As a girl she loved languages and travel, and came to speak Norwegian and German and French fluently. She loved poetry and theater, and even in her final years would recite poems and lines from plays from memory. As an adult she became fluent in American Sign Language after she lost her hearing.
Kathy Anne earned a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature and theater at Oberlin College in 1984, and in 1984-85 had the opportunity to pursue a Fulbright Fellowship in Norway. Among other adventures there she appeared on Norwegian television and interviewed prominent Norwegian writers.
Many of her adult years were spent in the Washington DC area, where she volunteered in community theatre groups and worked at the Gallaudet University library. She also worked as a fundraiser for Common Cause, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Arena Stage.
After suffering a series of strokes in 2001 she returned to Wooster to live with her parents Margie and Dave Powell. Her survivors include her parents, her brother Stephen and his partner Alan Shepard and their sons Holden and Brock of Montreal; and her aunts and uncles Sarah and Dick Amos, Beth Dingey, and Marilyn Murray; and her honorary aunt Yvonne Williams. Kathy Anne herself took great pleasure in being an aunt to Holden and Brock.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who helped to provide Kathy Anne great care at home.
In spite of the many health setbacks Kathy Anne endured, she showed incredible resilience and was a truly bright spirit.
A Celebration of Life service will be announced at a later date.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Contributions may be directed to either Oberlin College, 52 W. Lorain St., Carnegie Building, Oberlin, OH 44074 or to Galluadet University, 800 Florida Ave, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 to help support financial aid for students.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Memorial Contributions
Contributions may be directed to either Oberlin College, 52 W. Lorain St., Carnegie Building, Oberlin, OH 44074 or to Galluadet University, 800 Florida Ave, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 to help support financial aid for students.
Service
A Celebration of Life service will be announced at a later date.
Visitation
Please accept my condolences on your loss. It has been awhile since I had seen Katherine as a patient, but she was always a ray of light. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
How sorry I am about Kathy,God Bless all in hard time
Kathy is still a shining star. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
The fun I had with Kathy at WHS prom ! Time gone to fast but thanks Powell’s for letting me enjoy a evening never forget
So sorry for your loss. Kathy was always so interesting and interested in everything and everyone around her. She will be missed by so many.
My thoughts and love go out to Kathy’s family. I grew up with Kathy and she was an inspiration. Always a smile on her face. I’m sorry for her health issues but I guarantee she has everyone smiling in heaven. What a great person!
Love to the family. I think often of my time with KA and with you.
My time in Oberlin and Washington DC was brighter because of Kathy Anne. And I was lucky enough to get to know Stephen at Oberlin as well. I think of her frequently, whenever a Gilbert and Sullivan quote comes up, or when I hear of someone working on translations.
I did a number of G&S shows at Oberlin with Kathy Ann, and was priviledged to consider her a friend. I think of her ready smile, that would light up the room. I also got to spend time with her the summer after college, when I worked at Ohio Light Opera. I will always treasure those memories. Peace be with you.
I remember Kathy Anne as such a happy interesting person. We were all so fond of her and will always remember her shining spirit!
Dr Powell and Mrs Powell, I was a freshman in Dr Powell’s General Chemistry course in 1964-1965 at The College of Wooster and a townie! I worked at Smith Grocery to partially pay for college expenses and fondly remember you both shopping in the meat counter with then toddler, Kathy. May God bless your family during this period of mourning and Dr Powell, thank you for being and dedicated professor and kind and compassionate man.
I always remember her being very clever and happy growing up. It is clear that she went far in spite of all her health challenges. May her memory be a blessing
I knew Kathy at Oberlin College because I started a Scandinavian language dinner table which met weekly in a cafeteria banquet room. Kathy loved to speak Norwegian and was completely fluent. It was our fortune to have her in the group. We are truly sorry for your loss which came much too soon.
Dear Dave my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family in this time of loss of a ray of sunshine and a clap of thunder all wrap into one.Kathy Ann was a great gal that I won’t soon forget.If there is anything I can do to help in any way please don’t hesitate to call.
Kathy Anne was a wonderful person with a unquenchable joie de vivre and brilliant mind, and I’m proud to have been her friend. I’m so glad I was able to see her on our annual visits in Ohio, and get to know her lovely parents as well. The world is less rich without her in it.
Terrible news. I hadn’t seen Kathy Anne since the Gilbert & Sullivan reunion at Oberlin in 2000, but e-corresponded with her for some years after that. She was a terrific woman and a great person to do theater with–funny, bright, thoughtful, hard-working and imaginative. We’re all the worse off for her loss.
On behalf of the Department of Chemistry at the College of Wooster, I’m terribly sorry for your loss. We are all part of the Wooster family. Wishing you and your family peace in the times ahead.
I loved KA, she was a kind, empathetic person. She brought my husband and me together at a party. We tell our son that he owes his existence to her matchmaking! Everyone has said great things about KA. She and I shared a hearing loss, albeit under quite different circumstances, but we understood what each other dealt with and had similar feelings about it. I like to think she’s hearing her G & S songs in heaven…Love and God bless, Jill
I have fondest memories of Kathy Anne and was deeply saddened to find news of her death. She was creative, sweet, kind, and both smart AND wise. Although our paths diverged decades ago I will continue to hold her in my heart. I’m so sorry for your loss.