Gloria Powell

Gloria Blanche Powell

1923-2014

Gloria Blanche Powell, 90, went to join her beloved husband, Bill, on January 11, 2014.  She will be remembered by the loving joy she brought to all those whose lives she touched.

Gloria was born the eldest daughter of Albert and Magdelena Puczylowski on December 21, 1923, in Saginaw, Michigan.  She moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin at a young age.  During World War II, she joined the Women's Army Corps and served overseas in Casablanca where she met her future husband, a wounded U.S. Army soldier, William D. Powell.  They had a magical love affair that lasted 54 years.

Gloria and Bill set a wonderful example that launched their children and grandchildren on eventful and fulfilling life journeys.  Her groundbreaking enlistment in the Army and charter membership in the Women in Military Service Memorial inspired her son, daughters and grandchildren to serve in the military.  Grandchildren Jennifer, Sarah, James and Derek have recently served or are currently serving in the military.  When Bill was transferred to Utah, Gloria chose to make their home in Bountiful.   She worked as a mother to provide a warm, caring home for her children where friends and acquaintances were always welcome.  Acquaintances soon became lifelong family friends because of Gloria’s fun and loving nature.

Gloria is loved and survived by her five children Stephen W. Powell (Anita), Mary M. Powell (Glenn Patton), Linda M. DeGraw (Dennis), Dr. Cynthia A. Chambers (Jim), Barbara J. Wallin (Carey);  sister Delores Shaklee, brother Richard Puczylowski, 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William David Powell, brothers, Joseph and Albert,  sisters, Pricilla and Dorothy and her grandson, Eric W. DeGraw.

A mass celebrating Gloria's life will be held on Friday, January 17th at 6:00 p.m. in St. Olaf's Catholic Church, 1800 S. Orchard Dr., Bountiful, UT.  A viewing will be held on Saturday, January 18th,  from 1:00- 2:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E.  An open house after the prayer service will be held at 1977 Mapleview Drive in Bountiful, UT.

Burial with military honors will follow at Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Eric DeGraw Memorial Scholarship fund, St. Mary's School, 816 Black Oak Drive, Medford OR, 97504 or Island Dolphin Care, for the Military Veteran's Therapy Program at www.islanddolphincare.org .

The family would like to express appreciation to the staff at Legacy Village Memory Care in Taylorsville and Gentiva Hospice for their loving care of Gloria.