Claire Alice Powell

Major Claire A. Pinney Powell, 84, of Overland Park, Kansas, died peacefully Saturday, November 25, 2017. Claire was born September 13, 1933 in South Orange, New Jersey to Ruth and Warren Pinney. Claire was the oldest of 4 children. She graduated from Columbia High School, South Orange, New Jersey in 1948. She attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1951.

Claire was active with the Girl Scouts of America and served as a Camp Counselor at Eagle Island Girls Scout Camp, Eagle Island, New York. Her camp name was “CAP”. Claire was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 1956 and served in California, Washington D.C., Japan, Worcester, Massachusetts and Kansas City as a disbursing officer. Claire served 21 years of active duty. Her final rank was Major. Claire was a coach for Special Olympics softball. She was a sports enthusiast regularly cheering on the KC Chiefs, KC Royals and KU Jayhawks. Claire was an avid pen pal corresponding with family and friends maintaining many long-time long-distance friendships. Claire has been an active member of Broadway/Keystone United Methodist church for over 44 years. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women, Inquirer’s Class, and the “OK Club.” She also served as a Sunday School Teacher and was the Past President of the Keystone Class. Claire is a dedicated sponsor of the church’s “Foster Children’s Clothes Closet”. Claire is a member of the Soroptomist International of Kansas City, and of Chapter EV of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Claire was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Wade Powell; sister Marge Ann Meyer; and her parents, Ruth and Warren Pinney. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Powell of Overland Park; her son Rick Powell of Overland Park; her daughter Pamela Collins and husband Dan of Mission, Kansas; grandchildren Erica Hudson, of Prairie Village, Lauren “Dani” Collins, of Olathe and Bob Collins of Mission, Kansas; her sister Cynthia B. Pinney and husband John McConnell of Elkland, Missouri; her brother, Warren B. Pinney and wife Linda of Northeast, Maryland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Claire’s family would like to thank Claire’s care team including Dr. Peter Holt, Primary Doctor; Dr. Achal Desai, Renal Specialist; Staff of Davita Nall Dialysis Center for their 5 years of care; Secure medical transport; and Kansas City Hospice House for their loving care.

The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Keystone United Methodist Church, 406 West 74th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64114.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 2nd at Keystone United Methodist Church, 74th and Wornall Road. Burial 2:30 p.m. at Mount Moriah Cemetery South.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.