Jean Antoinette Mary Powers

The world lost another member of the greatest generation. Jean Antoinette Mary Gentle Powers – British war bride, mum, grandmother, and Gigi - has finally found heavenly peace. A remarkable woman of “grace and toughness” has left an indelible mark on her family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of her company. Simply put, she was a gift to all. Jean was born in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England, third of January 1926, only child to Thomas and Florence Gentle – her mother also being an only child. Jean was an active participant before, during, and after WWII. Girl Guides gave her (and the Queen) the training for preparedness which laid the foundation to assist in the war effort and to have skills to carry her through life. As a member of the Woman’s National Fire Service during WWII, she and her crew were instrumental in protecting their hometown while the men were tending fires in ravaged London thirty miles away. They were proud to receive 1st place in the Light Pump Drill Competition in record time – 36 1/5 seconds. After the war, clean-up from bombings and replanting trees kept this devoted citizen and now young mother busy. She met her GI Johnny at a dance at the USO hall on Bassingbourn Air Base where he was stationed as a Seargent in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the 91st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. John Eugene not only captured Jean’s heart, but also the hearts of her beloved parents – a son to them. They were married sixth of January 1945. At the close of the war their first child, John Thomas, was born. Her husband had already been shipped back to the states and it would be nine months before John Eugene would see his bride again, and finally meet his son to start their new life in Toledo, Ohio. It was an arduous and lengthy voyage for the second group of war brides to journey on the Queen Mary in February 1946. Rough seas on the Atlantic tested the grit of the young war bride mothers. That toughness and grace had Jean caring for seasick mommies and babies with croup while tending to her own little lovie. Jean and baby Johnny arrived in New York and traveled by train to Toledo not knowing anyone but her husband who would meet them at the end of their travels. Instrumental in getting her comfortably established in America were the Overseas Bride Club (aka Daughters of the British Empire – a member to date), the extended Powers family, especially “dear Aunt Alice”, her wonderful neighbors on Willard St, Ann Faykosh and Betty Stelmazak, and her sweet Scottish friend, Helen Johnston. John and Jean had six more children. Both she and her husband worked while raising their kids with the “Queen’s English” and the “Irish – no complaining” style. J.E. worked on the B&O/C&O Railroad for 25 years, Jean as a lab technician in Quality Control for 30 years at Hunt Wesson. Throughout her long life, “Jeanie” survived many struggles: the homesickness and loss of her most cherished parents in England, a near fatal car accident with John Thomas in 1963, caring for her beloved husband for 17 years after a debilitating stroke-losing him at 64 years, the loss of three children: Michael, Joey, and Christine (Bartz), son-in-law, Bill Randall; two grandchildren, Jeanette Powers and Matthew Scoles; and great grandson, Tommy O’Loughlin. She leaves a legacy of deep pride in family and its history, love, kindness, courtesy, patriotism, strong work ethic, equality and respect for all, integrity, and compassion. Jean was a devout Catholic, with St. Thomas Aquinas on White Street being her most revered parish. She remained faithful to her Sunday Mass at Church of St. Mattress in more recent years due to health. Jean Antoinette , currently living in Green Springs, Ohio, formerly of Erie, Michigan and Perrysburg, Ohio, is survived by her remaining four children: John Thomas (Fran) Powers, Pamela Ann “Pam” Randall (devoted caregiver), Jennifer Lee (Bill) Fountain, Stephanie (Dan Caplis) Powers; 13 grandchildren: John Patrick (Cruz) Powers, Patrick (Lisa) Randall, Rob (Karie) Randall, Andrea Scoles (widow of Matthew), Mark (Emily) Scoles, Sara (Chris) Bica, ‘Lizbeth (David) Williams, Jessica (Ned) O’Loughlin, Tom (Lisa) Bartz, Maddie (Chris Sullilvan) Caplis, Jason (Jamie) Bone, Alison (Eric) Kish, Corey Fountain; 23 great-grandchildren; one cousin, Brenda (Gentle) Fields in London, with an abundance of those who loved her and called her mum and grandma. The family would also wish to acknowledge the incredible devotion, skill, and compassion of “Nurse Debbie”, Chaplain Kevin, and all her care team at ProMedica Heartland Hospice of Fremont who gave such love and support to our sweet mother and all of us throughout her final month – angels for sure, along with her physician, Dr. Mary Wonderly and Staff, Crystal at NOMS 360, and dear Mary Klausz, her Wednesday lunch companion. Knit 2 Pearl 1, Sally Forth and Cheers, Mum! Friends will be received on Saturday the 20th of November 2021, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 3500 Navarre Avenue, Oregon, OH 43616, until the time of Funeral Service at 1:30 p.m. Private Family Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park. Everyone attending is asked to please wear a mask. Memorial contributions in Jean’s name may be made to Heartland Hospice, 907 W. State Street, Fremont, OH 43420 or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at walkerfuneralhomes.com.