Mary Ann Powell, 83, Stevens Point, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at the Portage County Health Care Center while under the care of Heartland Hospice and her family.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, at Holy Spirit Parish (St. Stanislaus Catholic Church) with Rev. Tom Lindner presiding. Visitation will be held at Boston Funeral Home Thursday, Oct. 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. with a rosary, led by the Rosary Society. Visitation will also be held at the church Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial will follow the service in Guardian Angel Cemetery.

She was born Jan. 21, 1934, to the late Francis and Dorothy (Prondzinski) Puwalowski in Stevens Point. She grew up in Stevens Point and attended kindergarten at the University Training School; first grade at Garfield Public School; second through eighth grade at St. Stanislaus Catholic Grade School; and high school at St. Joseph Academy. She graduated high school in 1951 as salutatorian.

She continued her education at Wisconsin State Teachers College (now University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters of Science in Education.

In her earlier years, she worked at the Portage County court house and at Hardware Mutual (now Sentry Insurance) in the legal offices. After completing her higher education, she was able to pursue her passion of teaching, becoming an elementary teacher. She taught kindergarten for more than 40 years: three years in Green Bay, nine years in Mosinee and 28 years in Stevens Point.

She was a devout member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. She enjoyed being active with her parish and pursuing roles within religious education. She enjoyed assisting with Parish Christian Leadership, diocesan lay leadership courses, diocesan Bible course led by Fr. Mark Pierce, Bible Scholar, and teaching first grade Parish religious education.

She was chairman of the Prayer and Spirituality committee for more than 25 years, served on the Parish Counsel, a member of the Sacred Worship Committee, a regular reader during Christian Mass, often served as a Eucharistic minister, sang on the Resurrection choir for funerals, and was a member of the Rosary Society.

In addition, in her spare time, she liked reading, sewing, floral gardening and creative writing. She also was a member of the Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers Association and Washington School Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include her two brothers, Fred (Janet) Powell and John Powell; two nieces, Joanne Powell and Julie (Corey) Johnson; five nephews, James (Jennifer) Powell, Robert Powell, Thomas Powell, Michael Powell and Daniel (Sachiko) Powell; one grand-nephew; and one grand-niece.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bostonfuneralhome.net.