ATHENS, Ohio –– Mary Lee Powell, 84, of Athens, died Thursday morning, December 26, 2024, at The Lindley Inn of The Plains, Ohio. Born August 8, 1940, in Bucyrus, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Vernon Kerr and Janet Aten Kerr.
She was a graduate of Nevada High School and Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She retired after 30 years of service as a medical technologist in the pathology department in the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Mary Lee was an active member of several local organizations including Christ Lutheran Church, American Association of University Women (serving as a board member at the local and state levels), and Ohio Valley Summer Theater. She was a passionate supporter of the Democratic party, particularly issues promoting women’s health. Among the hobbies she loved were attending opera and theater performances, bird watching, flower gardening, spending time outdoors and walking in the woods.
Mary Lee is survived by her daughter, Mary Beth (Josh) Brown of Athens; her son, Richard “Rick” (Janet) Gillam of Acworth, GA; two grandchildren, Ben and Ali Gillam; two sisters, Sarah Baehr of Circleville, OH, and Nancy (Art) Morth of Grand Island, NY; and a brother, Tom (Patricia) Kerr of Biglerville, PA.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 69 Mill St., Athens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to OhioHealth Hospice-Athens, www.ohiohealth.com/ohiohealth-foundation, or Christ Lutheran Church, www.clcathens.org. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
