Susan Hawley Powell, 80, passed away from cancer at her home Wednesday, June 14, 2017.
Born in Brooklyn, she grew up in Corning, N.Y., and was a Yorktown resident since 1971. Susan was the only child of Anne Chase and Alan Wayne Hawley.
On July 11, 1971, she was married to Robert D. Powell Jr. Her education included Bishop Strachan, Toronto; Stoneleigh-Burnham Girls School, Massachusetts; Katie Gibbs College, New York City; and Bradford College, Massachusetts.
She enjoyed her earlier professional roles as an administrative assistant with Corning Glass Works, Corning Community College, IBM and Busch Properties. She received a Special Service Award for 50 years of dedicated service from the American Helicopter Society International in 2010. She received the Alli Award from the Peninsula Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads for her volunteer community work.
In expressing her strong voice for the vision that Yorktown become the center for arts in our region, she worked to foster the arts in York County. Susan became synonymous with her demonstrable perseverance, stamina and commitment to deliver projects through completion.
In 2014, she started the Annual Art at the River Juried Art Show and received an Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership Award. In 2007, she expanded Yorktown Market Days to include artists’ participation, and received the 2009 York County Outstanding Volunteer Award for these successful efforts. Susan also chaired the Summer Concert Series at Grace Episcopal Church. She mentored artists, young and old, encouraged and promoted their work to establish display/sale venues.
Susan considered the art education of children a top priority. Her most recent grant effort supported the Yorktown Arts Foundation to expand local summer art education for children. She fostered art in teenagers by including art exhibits from York County High School students in conjunction with the annual Art at the River.
Additional organizational involvement included: Celebrate Yorktown Committee; Virginia Symphony Committee; chair, 225th Anniversary of the Victory at Yorktown Juried Art Show Committee; chair, Yorktown Foundation; Yorktown Arts Foundation; board member, On the Hill Gallery; Yorktown Senior Center; and the Grace Church Altar Guild.
Susan is remembered for her loving care and support of her husband, enriching his life with her commitment, friendship and bringing the friendships of many others through entertaining, community service, travel and golf. She enriched celebrations with traditions, enthusiasm, and a love for art, cooking, gardening and birds. She was a source of inspiration and encouragement throughout her life, and retained her fighting spirit and personality with a presence that seemed larger than life.
She is survived by her husband, Robert D. Powell Jr.; and her family including three daughters, N. Peyton Powell, M. Lindsay Powell and Martha P. Lovett; five grandchildren, Reed, Andrew, Cortlandt (Javier), Geoffrey (Amanda) and Shannon; six great-grandchildren, James, (Adraia), Kylin, Kayden, Rhomie, Chase and Emanuel; and four great-great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Schuyler, Kaidence and Jamesynn.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at Grace Episcopal Church with reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Yorktown Arts Foundation, P.O. Box 657, Yorktown, VA 23690, to fund classes for children in all art media.
