Janis Powers Obituary

Former Durango resident Janis Lee Powers died Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011, in Elizabeth. She was 68.

Mrs. Powers was born to Robert and Aida Sirrine on June 30, 1943, in Elizabethtown, N.Y. She was the eldest of three children. After graduating from Port Henry High School, in Port Henry, N.Y., in 1961, she earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany in 1965. Mrs. Powers majored in French and ultimately became a French teacher.

On March 25, 1967, she married William "Whitey" Powers in Port Henry. They lived in Port Henry until moving to Saudi Arabia in 1973.

The Powers family lived in Saudi Arabia for 16 years while working for the Arabian American Oil Co., also known as ARAMCO. During their time overseas, she and her family enjoyed traveling throughout Asia and Europe.

An avid golfer and skier, Mrs. Powers enjoyed both and traveled throughout the West while living in Durango during her and her husband's retirement years from 1989 to 2006.

Mrs. Powers is survived by her husband of 44 years, Whitey Powers, of Elizabeth; daughter, Brooke Gail Powers, of Denver; sister, Gail Sirrine of Brant Lake, N.Y.; and stepson, Mitch Powers, of Mesa, Ariz.

No services are planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to her favorite charity, The Smile Train at www.smiletrain.org.

Condolences may be sent to [email protected].