Marilyn B. Powers

Marilyn Beichert Powers, 96, of New Paltz, NY died peacefully January 10, 2022. Her children and grandchildren were so happy to be able to share one last Christmas with her, the holiday that was her favorite.

Marilyn was born and lived in Kingston almost all her life. She was the daughter of the late P. Joseph Beichert and Gertrude (Connors) Beichert. With familial roots in Ulster County that extend back five generations, she had an unabashed love for her hometown and the Hudson Valley. She attended Kingston’s #6 School and Saint Mary's, graduating from Kingston High School, Class of ‘42. Mrs. Powers earned her Bachelor’s degree in Latin and English from Saint Rose College in Albany, NY. She taught high school Latin in Kerhonkson and Monroe, returning to KHS as an English teacher. Soon after, she married Bill Powers and they raised three children together. As her children became older, Mrs. Powers went on to earn her Master’s in Library Science degree from SUNY Albany, becoming the Head Librarian at her high school alma mater before retiring, which coincided with the death of her dear husband. Following Bill's passing, Marilyn immersed herself in her “second career” -- being a volunteer. In keeping with things historical, Marilyn worked with the fledgling Kingston Urban Cultural Parks Commission, serving as Chairwoman, spearheading projects on The Strand and in the Old Stockade area of Kingston. Later, she joined the Friends of Historic Kingston Board of Directors and served as Vice President, chairing the Johnston House Committee, which oversaw the formation of the Johnston House Museum. With boundless energy, she volunteered at the then Benedictine Hospital and also taught a class at Bard College Lifelong Learning Institute, titled “Across the River, Beyond the Mall: The Untold Story of Kingston, NY.” Marilyn also found time to put her hard-earned library science skills to good use at the Kingston Library on Franklin Street, where she volunteered at least once a week. As a tribute to her work, the Local History Room at the Library was named in her honor. “Those were all exciting times,” she once told a Kingston Daily Freeman reporter. Marilyn's time was not all taken up with the past, however. She was very much involved in the present enjoying the company of her many friends, including a bridge group she played with for over 40 years and helping her cousin compile a family history. Her three children occupied very considerable space in her life. Important space. All three of whom followed her footsteps into careers in education. Besides her great love for her children, “Gamme’s” four grandchildren, and recently a granddaughter-in-law, held a special place in her gentle heart. She was so proud of them all. They brought her great joy and sustained her, especially in these last few years. Her passing is very sad, but her family, friends, and former students know that Marilyn Beichert Powers’s was a life well lived in devotion and service to her faith, her family, and her community
Marilyn is survived by her children; Lynn Powers Faerber (ME), William E. Powers III and wife, Angela (CT), Jodi Powers Savarese and husband, Bill Savarese (NY); grandchildren William Eugene Powers Savarese (NY), Mara Lynn Savarese (NY), John B. Powers (NY), William G. Powers (DC), and granddaughter-in-law, Bridget Brady Powers (DC). Mrs. Powers was predeceased by her husband, William E. Powers, Jr., sister Gai Beichert Hughes and husband Richard Hughes (MA), a brother Philip Beichert and wife Kathleen (NY), and son-in-law, Robert (Bob) Faerber (ME).

Marilyn will be reposing at the Simpson-Hammerl Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave, Kingston, Thursday, January 13, 2022, from 10AM to 11AM. We will then process to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Paltz for a service at noon.

Interment will be held privately for the family.

Simpson-Hammerl Funeral Home is honored to assist the family of Marilyn with the arrangements.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Marilyn’s honor to the Friends of Historic Kingston at fohk.ord or FHK PO Box 3763, Kingston, NY 12402.

Online condolences may be left for the family of Marilyn by visiting www.SimpsonHammerl.com