Linda L. Powell

Linda L. Powell of 10000 Krider Road, Meadville, died Saturday, May 31, 2008 at home after a struggle with cancer.

She was born in Meadville, a daughter of Opal and Thomas Porter.  She married John S. Powell on August 19, 1967; he survives as a loving spouse.

In addition to her husband John, she is survived by one daughter, Jill Irene Powell Francisco and her husband Shawn and their son John David, of whom she was very proud, of Kenova, WV; her mother, Opal Porter of Cambridge Springs; one sister, Peggy Stine and her husband Robert of Leland, NC and their two sons, Brenton and Bradley Stine.

Linda retired after working 38 years as a dental hygienist in Pennsylvania public schools.  She started a dental hygiene program at the University of Zurich in Zurich Switzerland, as well as programs in the Millcreek and Penncrest School Districts.  She also traveled for Dental Hygiene to speak to the Bavarian Teacher Association in Munich, Germany and then traveled to Japan with the PA Department of Education for an educational and dental exchange.  She also traveled to Australia to present a dental health program.

She received an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene from Eastman Dental Dispensary of the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene and a Masters in Elementary Education from Edinboro University.  She has maintained her dental hygiene license for 46 years.

In her dental hygiene career she received the PA State Education Award for Innovative Teaching Ideas, the Academic Effort Award from the PA Dental Hygienists’ Association, The Louise Coria Memorial Award from the PA Dental Hygienists’ Association for Outstanding Member and the 2008 Distinguished Citizen Award from Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity.  She was also a charter member of the PA Academy of Dental Hygiene Studies and remains a distinguished member.

She was a unified retired life member of the PA State Education Association (PSEA), the National Education Association and presently Northwestern Region PSEA-Retired President.  She also served as the President of the Department of Pupil Services of the PSEA.  She was an active member of Stone United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees and the Board of the United Methodist Women.

She was active in many other organizations over the years, including Golden Crown Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, Alpha Gamma Delta International Fraternity, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, General Federation of Woman’s Club, the Meadville Woman’s Club and the Red Hat Society.

Linda was an advocate for preventative children’s dental health and practiced this whenever possible.  The love and pride of her family gave her the “zest” for a full life.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with an Eastern Star service and Wednesday from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cambridge Springs Public Library (Children’s Section), 158 McClellan Street, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403 or the Meadville Public Library (Children’s Section), 848 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335.