While visiting one of her beloved lighthouses with a group of friends, our mother, Clarice Smith Powers, fell (at ground level), hit her head and went home to be with the Lord. Waiting for her there, since November of 1991, was her husband, James Powers.

Mom is survived by six children: Jacqueline Bell of Henderson, Nev.; Patricia (George) Ratcliff of Lancaster, Calif.; Robert (Kerry) Bell of Sun Valley, Calif.; Miriam Surface of Clinton; Ralph (Mary) Powers of Camano Island and Deborah (Jeff) Keenan of Seattle. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. “Great-Grandma” was awaiting the arrival of a new set of twins, due in July.

Besides her love of lighthouses, Mom had so many interests: Traveling any distance to visit family and friends (especially visiting grandchildren), volunteering in the Verdugo Hills Hospital Physical Therapy Department, ringing bells with the Carillons Choir at the First United Methodist Church in Glendale, watching Bob’s boys compete in swim meets, listening to Tricia and the rest of the CVHS Alumni Chorale sing, volunteering at Tricia’s school, corresponding with friends and family through cards, letters and e-mails; being involved with the seniors’ Sunday school classes at both the Methodist and Glendale Presbyterian Churches and watching Major League baseball or any college sports event on TV.

Mom was born on Oct. 3, 1927 to Clair and Verda Smith in Viola, Minn. She passed away on May 13, 2011, in Washington, D.C. at the age of 83.

Besides raising three children alone for awhile, mom worked as the Crescenta Valley High School student body account clerk, the “student store lady” from 1965-77.

Marrying the love of her life, James Powers, in 1967, the two of them retired to Clinton in 1977 where she was the wedding coordinator (of more than 100 weddings) at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Langley and sang in both the church choir and community chorale. She also volunteered at the local hospital.

As Mom had countless friends in numerous places and has touched so many lives, two memorial services will be held: 1 p.m. Monday, May 30 at First United Methodist Church, 134 North Kenwood St., Glendale, CA 91206 and 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, Langley, WA 98260.

A reception will follow the service at both locations. All friends are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity, or the Verdugo Hills Hospital Physical Therapy Unit (1812 Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208) or the charity of your choice in her honor. Condolence e-mails may be sent to Bob at robert.t.bell@jpl.nasa.gov or Patricia at boron71@juno.com and will be forwarded to other family members.

Final arrangements will be provided by Visser Funeral Home, Langley.