Hoosick Falls – Annette Marie Powers, beloved wife of Richard J. Powers Jr., died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on January 9, 2017, at Albany Medical Center following a brief illness. [private]Ann was born in Hoosick Falls on September 11, 1936, to Ruth (Peters) and Arthur VanDerKar Sr. and attended school in Hoosick Falls. After graduating, she worked at Mary McClellan Hospital and New York Telephone, then in the Accounting Departments of Tansitor Electronics and St. Gobain. After retiring in 1999, she was employed part-time at CarQuest Auto Parts.
Ann was a member of Home Bureau and was actively involved in Hoosick Misses Softball (President) and the Weir-Reynolds skating program for many years. She and Rich also founded and successfully ran East Hoosick 3D Outdoor Archery for 10 years.
Ann’s greatest passion, however, was her family. Her love was expressed in giving of her time, her resources and herself. Nothing could keep her from attending activities her children and grandchildren were involved in, whether it be cheering them on from the sidelines of a ball game or taking an active interest in their endeavors as adults. She was always there.
Ann always put others first. In her younger years, due to the demands of her family’s business, she raised her 6 siblings; and there is nothing she wouldn’t do for anyone, especially her children, grandchildren or other family members. Ann also had many special friends who looked forward to a daily chat and encouragement.
Besides her husband of 61 years, Ann is survived by 3 daughters: Gail (Daniel) Smith of N. Petersburgh, Rebecca (Leonard) Austin of White Creek, and Pamela Powers (Jason Tudor) of Shaftsbury, VT.; 6 grandchildren: Amanda (Joseph) Gamache and Jamie (Molly) Smith, Andrew Austin (Nikki Newman), Adam (Meggi) Austin, Kassidy Hitt (Travis Korb) and Kealan Hitt; and 7 great-grandchildren: Raen and Alexis Austin, Zachary Crawford-Smith, Collin Smith, Kylee Gamache, and Ashton and Carter Austin. Ann is also survived by one sister, Sandra VanDerKar, one brother John (Nancy) VanDerKar, an uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins. Ann was pre-deceased by her parents; 3 sisters: Shirley Campbell, Patricia Lynn Steller and June Eldred; and 2 brothers: Kenneth (Red) VanDerKar and Gerald VanDerKar, a step-sister Marge Houlihan, and a step-brother Arthur VanDerKar Jr.
A candlelight celebration of Ann’s life will be held on Saturday, January 14, at Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church, 484 Hill Road, Hoosick Falls, with Reverend Gary Rogers and Pastor Jonathan Youngmann co-officiating. Friends may greet the family at the church from 4:30 until the service begins at 6 pm.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the PFOA Water Crisis: Paying it Forward campaign to help provide clean water in Uganda, Hoosick Misses Softball, or the American Heart Association through the funeral home. [/private]