Mary E. Powers

Waltham - Mrs. Mary Elizabeth 'Betty' (Stout) Powers passed away on Friday, February 13, 2009, her 96th birthday. She was a resident of Waltham since 1951 and is survived by her husband of 61 years, former Waltham city councilor Paul F.X. Powers, and her daughter, Christine A. Powers of Waltham.

Betty was born at home on February 13, 1913, on a farm in Ballantine, Montana. She was one of eight children. She excelled in school, attended business college during the Great Depression and went on to work for a period in Lincoln, Nebraska. When World War II created career opportunities in Washington, D.C., Betty moved east to work ultimately in the Pentagon for General Charles P. Gross, one of the transportation architects of the Normandy D-Day Invasion.

When the war ended, Betty was eager for the opportunity to move to Berlin, Germany and join the Office of Military Government. It was there that she met her future husband, Paul, who was also working in the post-war administration of a devastated Germany, following his discharge from the Army. Together, they enjoyed many good times with their fellow Americans who were working in the same capacity.

Betty and Paul were married on April 24, 1948 in Berlin. They enjoyed a European honeymoon. Among the highlights of their wedding trip was a visit to Holland in the spring tulip season. After they returned to Berlin, the Russian blockade began, and they heard the American planes flying over constantly to drop supplies in the airlift for the struggling German people.

Betty and Paul finally returned to the States later in 1948. After living in Cambridge, they moved to Waltham in 1951. Paul resumed his legal studies at Northeastern University, and Betty left the workforce for several years after their only child, Christine Anne, was born in 1952.

Betty returned to work when Christine was older, first at the Fernald Developmental Center and then for the Army Corps of Engineers in Waltham, where she earned praise for her efficient work as an executive secretary. Those who loved her pray that her memory is now free of the bonds of Alzheimer's disease and that she can recall the happiest parts of her long life.

In addition to her husband Paul F.X. Powers, and her daughter Christine A. Powers, Betty is survived by her sister, Alene Bowen, of Billings, Montana; her brothers, Gregory Stout, of Manhattan, Montana and James Stout, of Helena, Montana; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Charles O. Stout and Re Anna (Bryson) Stout; her brothers Robert, William and Owen Stout; and her sister, Ruth Pearson.

Family and friends will honor and remember Betty's life by gathering for calling hours at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472.