Sharon R. Powers

She was born in Lockport, New York, on October 22, 1935, to the late George and Alma (St. Onge) Ramming.

Sharon attended Medina High School in New York and graduated in 1955, from Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont.

On September 3, 1955, she and Richard M. Powers were married at St. Mary’s Church in Medina, New York, and they settled in the Detroit area.

Following the birth of their children, Sharon became involved in their extracurricular activities and was a Girl Scout troop leader for many years. She was also involved in other Girl Scout Council activities, including handling public relations for the Northern Oakland County Girl Scout Council. One of her most memorable events was hosting a group of Swedish scouts whose visit was shown on Michigan-Out-of-Doors with Mort Neff, the premier Michigan naturalist show at the time.

Sharon also worked as a building director for West Bloomfield Schools Community Education Department, planning after-school and enrichment activities for elementary grade level students for 15 years.

Some of her most popular activities were weekly roller-skating in the gym, field trips to the Cranbrook Institute of Science and Spring Break Camps. Additionally, Sharon learned the art of decorating Ukrainian eggs, later teaching courses on this method to youth and adult groups.

Sharon received many awards for her service to Girl Scouts and the West Bloomfield School District. She was especially proud of receiving the Minuteman Governor’s Award from Governor William Milliken during Michigan Week Celebrations in May of 1982.

Sharon and Dick moved to Copper Harbor in 1990, following their retirement. In the Keweenaw, they enjoyed snowshoeing and Sharon learned quilting from her late friend Carolyn Wescoat, eventually becoming a member of the Keweenaw Heritage Quilters.

With this group, Sharon helped craft a number of raffle quilts for local fundraisers, made Honor Quilts for Veterans and created a marvelous collection of quilts showcasing her talents that were proudly displayed around her home.

She enjoyed reading quilt directions in order to discover alternative methods for creating the patterns that she would then teach to other members of her quilters group. She was especially proficient at bindings, making square mitered corners with ease.

Sharon was a wonderful baker and visitors to the Powers home often enjoyed cookies with a cup of coffee or tea. Thank you’s from Sharon arrived in the form of a roll of cookies, or a cherry or apple pie. Copper Harbor community bake sales always benefited from the bounty of Sharon’s kitchen.

Together with Dick, Sharon was instrumental in the acquisition and development of Hunter’s Point Park in Copper Harbor, preserving a strip of Lake Superior shoreline for generations of visitors to enjoy, for years to come. A hiking/biking path named in both their honor leads from the Copper Harbor Visitors Center to the Hunter’s Point Park lakeshore in recognition of their efforts.

During her time in Copper Harbor, Sharon was a member of the Fort Wilkins Natural History Association Board of Directors and the Norland Association Board of Directors.

Sharon was instrumental in cataloging Grant Township historical documents, which were then archived at the Keweenaw National Historical Park in Calumet. She also assisted at the Copper Harbor Visitors Center, sharing information about the town with guests who stopped by for assistance.

Sharon was a member of the Keweenaw Catholic Community, Our Lady of the Pines Church in Copper Harbor.

Sharon is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Richard; and their children, Sandra Sweeney of Seneca Rocks, West Verginia, Susan (Doug) Hordos of Howell,\ and Michael (Judy) Powers of Collierville, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Megan (Aaron) Stauss, Rebecca and Brenden Sweeney, Christina Hordos, Nicole (Steve) Parent, Mary and Sean Powers; and great-granddaughter, Molly Brooks. Sharon is also survived by her sisters, Joycelyn Jennings and Georgia Thomas, of Medina, New York; niece, Laura (Joe) Schueler of Franklin, Kentucky; and other aunts and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Sharon will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 17, 2017, at Sacred Heart Church in Calumet, with Father Paul Manderfield celebrating, Father Corbin Eddy concelebrating and Deacon Art Stancher to assist. Internment will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Medina, New York at a later date.

Friends may call on Thursday, February 16, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home, 26090 Pine Street, Calumet. A parish prayer service will be held at 7:45 p.m. at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Sharon’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association by visiting lbda.org/donate.

Online condolences for the family may be left at ericksoncrowleypeterson .com.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.