Virginia Grayce Powell, 86, of Damariscotta, died peacefully on Feb. 5. Virginia, also known as Jini, was born May 23, 1922 in Manchester, N.H. to Raymond and Grace Harvie. Jini went to North Quincy High School, Massachusetts School of Art, and obtained a degree in Art Education from University of Maine.
Jini married Dr. Ralph Powell, MD, in 1944 and together they lived in Lakewood, N.J., Albuquerque, N.M., New Harbor, and finally Damariscotta. Jini was a professional multi-media artist and art educator who specialized in landscape drawing, painting and portraits. Jini hung her artwork in many shows and sold her work privately through the Pemaquid Group of Artists Gallery, a group of which she was past president.
Jini started the Art Department at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle and taught art there for over 20 years. In her later years, Jini taught students at her home studio.
She was an amateur radio operator, a hobby she shared with her husband Ralph. Also, an avid gardener, Jini had a garden every year since she was a teenager – planting and harvesting over 70 gardens. She was a devoted reader of Stokes seed catalogue and each spring raised her own seedlings for her garden and loved nothing more than going to the local hardware store to stock up on gardening supplies.
Jini was an active volunteer in the Damariscotta community, particularly when it involved any of her four children. She served as president of the Hospital League, troop leader of the Girl Scouts, and was a Cub Scout pack leader many times. Jini was extremely passionate about nature and the outdoors and was known to spend a good part of her day outside when weather and her health permitted. Many of her paintings were inspired by her gardens and family camps on Damariscotta and Matagamon Lakes.
Jini is predeceased by her husband, Ralph Powell.
She is survived by her brother, John and wife Marilyn; brother, Raymond and wife Lois; sister, Beverly; four children, Nancy Sheriff and husband Scott Sheriff of Yarmouth, Peter Powell, Geoffrey Powell, both of Damariscotta, and Nathan Powell and wife Andrea of New Harbor; grandchildren, Drew Sheriff; Stacey Sheriff, Alexandra Spare and husband Michael, Benjamin Powell and wife Melissa, and Nicholas Powell and wife Lori, Lucas Powell, Jordan Powell and wife Erica; and great-granddaughters, Lindsey Powell, Lily Powell, and Katherine Arner; many nieces and nephews; and her personal care companion, Sheila Peaslee.
Service 1 p.m., Sat., March 7 at St. Andrew’s Episcopalian Church, Newcastle.
If desired, donations in Jini’s memory may be made to Skidompha Library Large Print Book Collection, Skidompha Library, P.O. Box 70, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
