Doris Powell

Doris Mae Powell, died Monday November 15, 2021 in Palmyra. She was born February 26, 1923 to Herman and Theresa Diefenbach. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Jeanne Salyer. Her late husband, Maxwell C. Powell, played a special role in her life and many other lives, especially their granddaughters: Karen DeAngelis (deceased), Jamie Hintzen and Tovak DiAmbrosio. Doris was born in Brecksville, Ohio. Her unlimited interest in art and art history included undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies at Kent State University, Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, The University of Pennsylvania, & John Herron Art Institute. Her early teaching career began in Brecksville and progressed to Alma College, Alma MI, as Professor of Art History. She continued and taught at the State College at Eau Claire, WI, and the State University College at Brockport, NY. While living near Valley Forge in Malvern, PA, she established a Historical Commission at the time of the the Bicentennial in 1976. She served as chairman several times. She applied for and received several state and local grants & placed several historic sites on the National Register. While living in Chester County, she chaired the research and documentation of 18th century sites, 10,000, in 72 communities. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Chester County Museum. Doris illustrated and wrote several brochures and other publications, in addition to photographing and documenting structural detail of the area's 18th century homes, barns, etc. She is listed in the publication "Authors of Chester County". Her dedication to recording the history of the area was officially recognized on both state and local levels. She took an interest in a national social sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma in college and as alumna. A second major in college was music, the organ, which resulted in many years as a church organist. Doris taught watercolor painting and enjoyed the art as a personal accomplishment. For the last 20 years, she was fascinated with the demands of quilting, which she believed had approached the status of fine art. Internment will be held in the Diefenbach family location in the Brecksville Cemetery.