Barbara Powers

Barbara Ann (Norton) Powers of South Bend died Monday at Memorial Hospital of South Bend at age 83 after a brief illness and a long list of items she checked off a never ending to-do list: enjoying summers at Bear Lake, MI; reading scores of books and discussing them in book clubs; exploring places from Europe to Machu Picchu, the Appalachians to the Colorado Rockies with the Ozarks' Buffalo River in between; and following Notre Dame sports, especially football and women's basketball.

She became valedictorian of the St. Joseph's Academy, Class of 1949 and graduated with honors from St. Mary's College in 1953.  An active member of St. Matthew Cathedral Parish, Mrs. Powers also invested much of her free time and energy over the years in organizations serving children and families, especially those in need.  She served on the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, the board of the Family & Children's Center and was active in a variety of social service organizations including the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Christ Child Society.  She continued volunteering into her 80's, helping to conduct a weekly book discussion group with the Sisters of the Holy Cross and delivering for food pantry efforts. 

She drove fast, as if eager to accomplish everything she wanted to do.  Her self-deprecating humor in the face of loss or disappointment was constant.  Her intellectual curiosity vast. To have her visit was to learn more about the place you lived than you could ever hope know yourself.  The fortitude of her Kintz family heritage burned proudly and deeply, as exemplified by the time she appeared alone at the church doors on Sunday morning, amidst a blizzard with two feet of snow still crowning her car, only to find the doors locked and barred against the elements.  To which, she only laughed and returned home to make Sunday breakfast.  There was nothing a hot bath could not fix. 

Mrs. Powers was the widow of John J. "Jack" Powers, former managing editor and executive editor of the South Bend Tribune.  She was also preceded in death by her oldest child, Michael Powers of Indianapolis, brother, Donald Norton of South Bend.   She raised eight boys and two girls and the energy of everyone around her.  She is survived by her children; Mary (Tom Bailey) Powers of Memphis, TN; John (Connie) Powers of Ann Arbor, MI; Daniel Powers of Indianapolis, IN, Matthew Powers of  East Lansing, MI; Ann (Rick) Martin of South Bend, IN; Patrick (Karen) Powers of Granger, IN; Brendan (Jan Spies) Powers of Denver, CO; Christopher (Nancy) Powers of Indianapolis, IN and Brian (Beth) Powers of Holland, MI; eighteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and brother, John (Suzie) Norton of South Bend, IN; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Norton of South Bend, IN.  Mrs. Powers was the oldest of three children born to Bernice and Donald Norton in Erie, PA. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015 at St. Matthew Cathedral, 1704 Miami Street, South Bend, IN.  Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend. 

Contributions in memory of Barbara Powers may be offered to Oaklawn -The Children's Campus, 1411 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, IN 46544 or St. Vincent de Paul, 520 Crescent Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617 or Christ Child Society, 308 S. Scott Street, South Bend, IN 46601.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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