Cynthia E. Powell

Cynthia E. Powell

March 24, 1946 – November 14, 2025

 

Cynthia Elizabeth Powell passed peacefully from this life on November 14, 2025, at the age of 79. Cindy was the daughter of the late Charles Ramsdell and Marguerita Burr Powell (Ellis). She is survived by her sister, Natalie, and her longtime friend, Rita Brillinger.

 

A graduate of Georgetown High School in Georgetown, MA, Cindy received a BA from Ursinus College and an MSW degree from Bryn Mawr College.  During most of her professional career she worked for Bell of Pa/Bell Atlantic as a programmer, in systems analysis and in auditing.

 

After her retirement from Bell, she was a social worker helping those in need with mental health issues and assisting people in crisis.  She was devoted to the Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry (GACM) and its mission to help people find resources that “resolve their crises, stabilize their lives and take them to the next steps toward self-sufficiency.” She also served on the board of directors of GACM and wrote many grants to help them achieve their goals. In addition, Cindy provided social services to underserved people through the Bridges project in Philadelphia. She was active in First Presbyterian Church in Springfield singing in the choir, serving as an elder and contributing to many other church programs.

 

A lover of sports and the outdoors, Cindy participated in many sports (especially volleyball, softball, golf and pickleball) over her lifetime and spent countless, happy hours boating and swimming in the lake near her vacation home in the Berkshires. Watching a sunset over the lake was inspiring and calming for her. Her lake house also provided many good times with treasured friends and family members.

 

While Cindy spent years as a cat lover, she ultimately became devoted to Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties). Over the years she loved and nurtured ten Shelties. She became interested and very skilled in dog agility, training and handling her dogs in many agility trials and qualifying for the AKC National Agility Championship several times. Cindy gained many friends through agility and enjoyed their camaraderie when traveling around the U.S. for competitions. Her beloved Tucker and Ripley survive her.

 

Cindy’s many friends and relatives will remember her as someone who knew how to be a true friend. She was an avid reader and passionate about politics. Those along with her other varied interests and dry sense of humor always made for lively conversation. She was a good listener and showed patience, compassion and understanding to all. Those qualities and many fond memories of times past will keep her in the hearts of friends and families.

 

Relatives and friends are invited to a time for visitation on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10 to 11 am at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, 1710 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031. Cindy’s memorial service in the church will follow at 11 am.  Interment is private.

 

In lieu of flowers contributions in Cindy’s name may be made to Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry, 35 W Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144 or to  Shetland Sheepdog Placement Services of New Jersey, 107 Broad Street Suite 694 Hainesport, NJ 08036.