Obituary of Anna Mary Powell

Anna Mary (Paolucci) Powell (nee, Campanale), age 96 passed away, peacefully, at her home in Green, Ohio, on April 5, 2010, from (as she has said for about the last 10 years), being "too damn old." Anna was born on July 24, 1913, in Akron, Ohio, to Angelo and Madietta (Mary) (Mazzocco) Campanale. Anna was a childhood survivor of polio, a disease that left her legs weak, but made her stoic character strong. Although she had osteoarthritis, gout, heart disease, and other ailments over the years, she never ever complained. She always said, "If someone asks how you are, tell them 'fine.'" At age 11, in 1925, her father died suddenly at the age of 38, leaving her mother and her to raise six younger siblings: brothers (AKA "The Boys"), Leonard J. Campanale; Frank Campanale; John Campanale; Joseph Campanale; Anthony D. (Tony) Campanale, and sister, Concetta (Tina) Campanale. Anna did not have the opportunity to finish high school or to go to college. She and her oldest brothers all worked from the a very young age to support their family - the youngest two brothers, Joe and Tony, did get to go to college and were graduated, as were her three sons. From a very young age, Anna was an avid reader - reading a book a week for many years of her life. The only real scolding she got from her mom was for scorching a shirt she was ironing because she was also reading a book while ironing. She also read the daily newspaper, until 2009, when her eyesight and her mind began to fail. She instilled a love of reading and the value of life-long learning in her sons, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Anna married the love of her life, Prosper Paolucci Powell in 1934. They were the first couple to get married at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, on Mosser Place - in the basement hall, since the beautiful marble-lined Church had yet to be built by Akron's "North Hill," Italian-American craftsmen. In the midst of the Great Depression, Prosper was making $14.00 a week, but was able to buy a house from a failed bank. Anna was given a choice of a Hoover sweeper or a honeymoon trip. Ever the pragmatist, she took the sweeper. The honeymoon waited 30 years - a trip to Europe with her Prosper in 1964. From the moment Pros met Anna, in her family's corner grocery store, he took good care of his sweetheart. Almost daily, he would shoo out (forcibly, if necessary) all the other boys that tried to hang around the store, and were "bothering" Anna, his beautiful, blonde, girlfriend. That loving care and mutual support lasted for 57 years of marriage, and allowed Anna to live in her own home until her passing to her heavenly home. "Thank you, Prosper," she would regularly say. In 1943, Prosper started Akron Steel Treating in the family garage on Glenwood Avenue in Akron. In the early days, Anna would help Prosper by tempering the steel parts in the kitchen oven. Even at the age of 96, Anna would always ask, "How are things at Akron Steel Treating? Is everybody OK?" All her life, Anna was a generous woman, and a nurturing mother. She never had a harsh word for anyone. Her source of joy in life was her family, her many friends, and her steadfast love of God. Children were always welcome around Anna. She always greeted them with a big smile and with a soothing term of endearment - "my baby," "my angel face," "my wonderful (fill in their name)." Never forgetting the death of her young father, the harsh lessons of the Great Depression, and the death of her younger brother, Joe, in World War II, she would share the many blessings that she had later in life with those around her. She prayed every day, and always said "Thank you" to everyone in earshot - including, "Thank you's" to God, to Jesus and Mother Mary. For many years she was a member of the St. Monica Society, at St. Anthony's Church, and the Silver Stars, at Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church. Unconditional love and works of service were her specialties: from age 11, helping her widowed mother to raise her family's seven children, to the late 1950's, helping to care for her ailing mother-in-law, Rosario, and in 1975, she was the main caregiver to her own mother. Whenever a new grand-baby arrived, Anna was there to support the new mom, loving the new baby - changing diapers, feeding and bathing the baby; and generally supporting her daughters-in-law and her sometimes bewildered sons with home cooked meals and more love "than you could shake a stick at." In the late 1980's, she cared for her sister, Tina, and, in 1991, her brother, Tony, bringing each of them to her home to live with her in their last months. In addition to reading magazines, murder mysteries, and romance novels, Anna collected cookbooks. She and Prosper both loved to cook. If there were a new kitchen gadget, Anna would have it on hand. (Where did she find that battery operated egg beater?") Anna was happiest feeding "good food" to her family (and her extended family - and anyone else that happened to visit at mealtime). The one Italian word that everyone that knew Anna heard over and over again was "Mangia!" For many years the Powell home was the site of daily home-cooked meals, holiday gatherings and summer-time cookouts - with Prosper handling all the "outdoor" activities and Anna managing the "indoor" preparations (and all the cleanup). Although she loved the beautiful flowers that Prosper kept, no one ever saw Anna in the garden, or even puttering in the lawn. Although the glassed-in sun porch was her favorite room at home, Anna did not like the out of doors or "wild animals," such as, dogs, cats, or other critters - bugs of any kind were especially unwelcome. Inside her "clean" home, warm in winter and cool in summer, with the TV always on (for background noise), was her preferred environment. Anna is survived by her three loving sons (and their wives): Ronald A. Powell (Michelle); Raymond P. Powell (Mary Ann); and Joseph A. Powell (Georgene), all of the Akron area. Although she never had any daughters, she loved her daughters-in-law as though they were her own daughters. Anna had a fourth son, John, who was stillborn in 1944. Anna is also survived by her eleven much loved grandchildren: Joseph P. (Jennifer) Powell, Raymond M. (Lorraine) Powell, Christopher (Diane) Powell, Anne Marie (Todd) Ritter, Tricia Powell, Steven A. (Brenda) Powell; David (Donna) Powell, and Gregory (Aubrey) Powell, Sarah Ann (Dan) Sears, Christina C. (the soon to be Mrs. Aaron Somogye) Powell, and Joseph N. Powell; as well as fourteen great-grandchildren. Anna's surviving sisters-in-law are Carmelina (Anthony) Paolucci, and Edith (John) Campanale, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. For the last ten years, Sue Drabek has been Anna's daily companion, helper and one of her caregivers. Over the years, Anna became Sue's "second mom," cooking instructor (schooled in the "A.P. Way"), and trusted advisor. Likewise, Sue has become Anna's "fourth daughter" and "girlfriend." Sue also became the de facto head "Angel" of the "A-Team of Caregivers" ("A" is for "Angel"); driving Ms. Powell to and from the store, the hairdresser, doctor appointments, church meetings, and lunches with brother, Frank, at Olive Garden. The other members of the A-Team are: Genevieve Semuga, Mary K., Mary F., Joy, Diane, Monica, Bobbie, and Joanne. Thank you and God bless you all for your constant, loving, care; your care allowed Anna to stay in her home these last few years. The family would also like to thank Dr. Matthew Chung, for many years of quality care and support. Well done, Dr. Chung! More thank you's go to the "We Care" Group of volunteers from Nativity Church: Sister Susanne, Rosemary, Rita, Betty, Amy, and the others from the Nativity Community, that visited with Anna, at least weekly, and brought her Holy Communion when she was unable to come to church. Thanks as well to Father Dave Halaiko for the recent Anointing of Anna - it truly touched her soul and allowed her to say "good-bye" to her family in peace. Thank you and God bless you all. Many thanks to the team at Hospice of Summa: Kathy, Shirley, Vicki, Ed, Ashley, Stacey, and Reverend Michael Shuab, who helped to keep Anna comfortable, happy (yes, happy! She said so last week!), and in her own home, these last few weeks. We are sure Anna would also like to thank Prosper, again, for all his love and his support throughout her long life; and to thank her "wonderful sons," "daughters," and her entire family and friends that have made her life complete. Anna was a "little lady" that touched a lot of people's hearts in a big way. A small, yellowed newspaper clipping (from an old Ann Landers column) taped on the wall in Anna's kitchen summarize well how she tried to live her life. "I shall pass through this world but once. Any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can show another human being, let me do it now and not defer it. For I shall not pass this way again." Calling hours will be at the Anthony & Biscan Funeral Home at 4178 Massillon Road, in Green, Ohio, 330.899.9790, on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, from 4 PM to 7 PM. where a Parish Wake service will be held at 6:30 PM. Mass of the Christian Burial at Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church at 2425 Meyersville Road, Thursday, 10:)0 AM, where the family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until the time of service. Entombment Northlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Anna's memory to Akron Children's Hospital Nursing Education Fund, One Perkins Square, Akron, OH 44308, Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church, 2425 Myersville Rd., Akron, OH 44312, or your favorite charity. Well done, Anna. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her, but never forgotten.