POWERS, Doris

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/15/2013 Doris Powers Arizona lost a beloved educator with the passing of Doris Cooper Powers Oct. 29, 2012. She was born in New Jersey in 1918. Mrs. Powers is predeceased by her husband, Bruce Powers and brother, long time Show Low area resident, Jack Cooper. Doris, a lifelong learner, believed in the value of education. Having earned her BA at Wellesley College in 1945, she continued post graduate studies at several leading colleges and universities across the country, earning a Ph.D. in English Literature at the University of California Berkley in 1964. In the company of her husband, Bruce, a career military officer, Doris enjoyed considerable international travel during the years between World War II and the Vietnam war. She was particularly fond of Europe and the Far East. When Bruce retired from the Army, they settled in the Phoenix area where Doris was invited to join the teaching staff of Arizona State University. For the next 20 years, “Professor Powers” taught, mentored and guided thousands of students through the chapters of 17th Century English Literature and by the end of her tenure at ASU served as Department Chair. With the passing of her husband in 1998, Doris decided to relocate to the White Mountains to be close to her brother’s family, Jack and Marilyn Cooper of Linden. For the next 14 years she blessed the Show Low area in general, and the White Mountain Woman’s Club in particular, with her amazing energy, diverse talents and subtle wit. It is said that a teacher’s influence lasts forever. That is certainly the case with Dr. Doris Powers. She will be sorely missed, but her life’s lessons will live on through generations of students and friends. At Mrs. Powers request, an informal remembrance service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Solterra Senior Living facility, 5408 White Mountain Blvd. Charitable donations in Mrs. Powers name will be received by the White Mountain Woman’s Club.