Elizabeth Powell

Elizabeth (Betty) Powell, 99, of Harding, passed away peacefully at the Highland Manor Nursing and Convalescent Center of Exeter on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013.

Elizabeth, the eldest of 10 children, was born Aug. 23, 1913, in Boardman, Pa., a small town near Clearfield. She and her nine siblings grew up and attended schools in Hyde City and Clearfield. Betty worked as a waitress near her Hyde hometown before settling in the Wyoming Valley. She worked as the head housekeeper for the Myers and Bedford families in the Wilkes-Barre area.

Betty also was a successful seamstress and worked in a clothing factory in Harding and packaged Easter straw in the old Hitchner Biscuit building in West Pittston.

Preceding her in death were her loving husband of 41 years, William D. Powell, in 1980; mother, Elizabeth Haddow Adamson, and father; Robert Cameron Adamson; brothers, James, George, Robert, John and Charles; sisters, Catherine Brown and Margaret Katrosh.

In 1940, Elizabeth and her husband, William, purchased a lot and built a home in Harding, where she resided for 73 years.

Elizabeth is survived by her beloved children, William D. Jr. and wife Pamela, of Plainfield, N.J.; Robert T. and wife MaryEllen, of Plains Township; grandchildren, Douglas Powell, Gilbert, Ariz.; Robert J. and Timothy R. Powell, Plains Township; brother Cameron Adamson of Humble, Texas; sister, Hannah Jean Hipps of Rowlett, Texas; cousin, Ruth Pashkevich and husband Joseph, Toms River, N.J.; and a large number of nieces and nephews, whom she cared for greatly.

Betty loved to host family gatherings in her home and was a superb cook and decorator. She always enjoyed gardening and could be seen weeding, cutting her grass and planting hundreds of impatiens every year around her home. She always looked forward to her bingo and bunco parties and attending the Methodist church functions and enjoyed being with her family and friends. Elizabeth was a member of the Harding women's auxiliary. She will be deeply missed by all.

Elizabeth's family wishes to thank the staffs of the General and Geisinger hospitals, The Highland Manor Nursing Center and all the many close and dear friends and neighbors she had who were always so nice to her throughout the years.

Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Friday in the Metcalfe-Shaver-Kopcza Funeral Home Inc., 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, with the Rev. Carol Coleman of the Luzerne United Methodist Church officiating.

Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

Interment will follow at the Denison Cemetery, 85 Dennison St., Swoyersville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 664 Bodle Road, Wyoming, PA 18644 or a charity of your choice.