Cecile R Powell

Cecile Rosalie Powell was born June 8, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to Aflred and Agnes Nova and was the third of their four children.  At the age of three she took dance and acrobatic lessons at McKinley Park and enjoyed the craft lessons provided in the summer months.  She spent many happy days playing in the park.  She attended church, Sunday school, and Summer Bible School.  At the age of ten she began piano lessons and continued for eight years.  She attended Longfellow Grade School and Harrison High school where she was a cheerleader and Choir member.  She also began dating her future husband, Frank Powell.  

After graduating High School, she worked briefly at Sears, Albert Pick and Company, and for five years at Illinois Bell Telephone Company.   She married Frank Powell in  (1952 ) and had four children before moving to Marysville, Michigan, when their fifth child was added to their growing family.  Cecile was a homemaker caring for her five children, including; Debra Lee, Judy Lynn, Darla Jean, Russell Brian, and Amy Joy.  The family of seven lived in Marysville for 8 years, moved to New Jersey for less than a year, and in 1967 moved back to the Chicagoland area and settled in Schaumburg, Illinois.  When her youngest was eight years old, Cecile began part time work as secretary to the Dean of Continuing Education at Harper College which influenced her decision to begin taking continuing education classes until earning a degree in Legal Technology.  She then worked for John Kelley, an attorney in Schaumburg for several years and then Larry Logan, a Palatine attorney.  She also earned her Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Sciences from National Lewis University, earning another two-year degree in Addiction Counseling while working at Nalco Chemical Company. 

Cecile retired at the age of 56.  Her children were grown and raising their own families.  Besides spending time with her grandchildren, Cecile fulfilled her passion for nature and outdoor activities by spending annual summer vacations camping in Wisconsin and Michigan, playing recreational tennis, skiing, bicycling, walking, jogging, and touring the U.S. National Parks.

In later years, she and Frank were snowbirds spending winters in Naples, FL in their trailer.  She and Frank moved to Huntley’s Del Webb in the summer of 2011 where they enjoyed pickleball and tennis.  She also loved line dancing, joined the women's social club, and helped coordinate the ladies luncheons.

She loved to play the piano and the family would sing Christmas songs as she played.  She loved to knit and made afghans for all her children and grandchildren.

After several years of struggling with dementia, she passed away on May 17, 2024.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents, Alfred and Agnes Nova; her siblings, Delores, Samuel, and her son-in-law, Art Berthelot.  She is survived by her brother Alfred and her children, Debra (Arthur) Berthelot, Judy (Bruce) Godfray, Darla (John) Suftin , Russ (Pat) Powell and Amy (Bob) Briggs.

Debra (Arthur) Berthelot: Ava (Brady) Bailey, Caden and Taya; Amanda (Matthew) Datlow, Lincoln and Sydney

Judy (Bruce) Godfray; Christine and Kelly

Darla (John) Sutfin; John (Anna) Sutfin, Eleanor and Margaret; Khyle Sutfin, Reagan and Jay

Vera (Kyle) King

Bill

Russ (Pat) Powell: Brian (Adrienne) Powell, Dylan, Abigail, Rhett; Trevor; Becky

Amy (Bob) Biggs: Brittany