Kathleen Bubbles Powell (Walden)

Kathleen Walden Powell, lovingly known as Bubbles, beloved wife of 44 years to the late Donald Gray Powell, died on February 2, 2011, surrounded by her family. Bubbles was born in New York City in 1919 to Catherine and Joseph Walden. She graduated from Hunter College High School and Hunter College. During that time, she was very active with the Girl Scout Mariners. Upon graduation, she worked with the Signal Corps on the development of radar and subsequently at the research division of Bausch and Lomb. She enjoyed a second career with the Amity School District as a math teacher. A long time resident of Woodbridge, Connecticut, Bubbles retired to St. Johnsbury and West Danville, Vermont where she enthusiastically volunteered at the Fairbanks Museum and the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. Although originally a city girl, Bubbles made the Northeast Kingdom, her husband's birthplace, her home. She leaves behind her daughters, Beth Powell and her husband Bill Johnston of Toronto, Ontario, Ginger Erdmann and her husband Lee Erdmann of Hartford, Connecticut, and Patti Nichols and her husband Jim Nichols of Westford, Vermont. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer Nichols Geiger, Kathleen Heather Erdmann Sullivan and husband Paul, David Johnston, Heidi Erdmann Vance McCann and husband Paul, Patricia Erdmann Roberts and husband Alan, Matthew Nichols and wife Tanya, Robert Johnston, Cyndi Nichols and Phillip Johnston as well as her great-grandchildren, Chelsea and James Geiger, Seamus and Christina Sullivan, Mattie, Ava, and Caroline McCann, Madeleine Nichols and Charlie Roberts. In addition, she leaves her sisters-in-law, Katharine Daub and Elaine Walden. She was predeceased by her sister, Josephine Dickens, her brother, Bill Walden and her loving companion, Roger Laferrier. Bubbles will be forever remembered for her intelligence, compassion, wisdom and joy of life as well as her radiant smile and trademark dimples. Bubbles loved to travel with her family, always willing to see new places and experience new cultures. An avid swimmer, she was very active most of her life and she also loved to exercise her mind with books, crossword puzzles, game shows and Sudoku. Her family and friends will miss enjoying hors d'oeuvres and cocktails with her at Joe's Pond as well as sharing stories and laughs over a game of cards. Bubbles never missed an opportunity to celebrate, and thoroughly enjoyed her 75th and most recently her 90th birthday parties. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss her terribly, always thinking of her as their swimming instructor who taught them how to blow bubbles as well as a life coach who was a terrific listener and who encouraged them to do their best, supported their endeavors and urged them to take advantage of all that life offers. A memorial service will be held at the North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, Vermont in early summer. Further details of the service will be in the Caledonian-Record at a later date. A very special thanks goes to the Palliative team at Hartford Hospital who helped make her final days dignified and peaceful. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the North Congregational Church, 1325 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819 or to Hartford Hospital Palliative Care in honor of Dr. Sharon Diamond c/o Fund Development Department, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06102. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com.