This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Lace_Lynch Surnames: Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.powell/6741/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Neva Marie (Stickney) Powell, of Valley Cottage, New York, died on Dec. 5, 2007 with family and friends by her side. Neva was born on Nov. 19, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio. As an undergraduate student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Neva worked as a cartographer, mapping Antarctica from pictures taken by Admiral Richard Byrd's exploration team. After World War II, Neva married her high school sweetheart, Eugene Powell, and together they moved to Manhattan, then relocated to Valley Cottage. Neva loved her career as an art teacher, teaching at BOCES, Camp Jawonio (a school and camp for severely handicapped children), and various schools from Tompkins Cove to Palisades. For 25 years, Neva taught art to children from Rockland County and beyond, at the Rockland Foundation for the Arts. After retiring from teaching in the 1990s, Neva wrote a book (illustrated by her husband, Eugene Powell), The Long Crossing, for which she received a lifetime achievement award from the Rockland County Executive Arts Award. She was writing a second book telling the stories of World War II prisoners of war. Neva was a tireless foe of civil defense and nuclear proliferation and an advocate for civil rights and peace on earth. She was a service officer for the WWII ex-POW organization, developed a discussion and support group for wives of POWs and educated wives of ex-prisoners of war about health issues of the veterans and their wives, including the impact of post traumatic stress disorder. She also assisted wives and widows in completing the forms necessary for widows' benefits. Neva followed her beloved husband in death just 25 days after he died on Nov. 10. They were married for 61 years. She is survived by her children, Gene (Gino) Powell, Christy Powell, and Abby Powell; and grandchildren, Jesse Welton, Caleb Welton, and Hannah Xiaoyao Powell. Neva will be much missed by family and friends alike. Her gifts, intellectual, artistic and ethical, were endless. Neva was a wonderful friend to many. She was an example of true values, and a champion of social causes, held and hard won with action. Neva lives on in our hearts and memories. A celebration of Neva's life and Eugene Powell's life will be held this coming spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her name to the Fellowship of Reconciliation, 521 N. Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960 or United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.