Ruth Louise (Pinches) Powers
Marriages
Tom Powers - 1995
Obituaries
Farnum Holt Funeral Home - January 2023
Ruth Louise Powers was born on June 30, 1950 in Niagara Falls, New York to Helen and Chuck Pinches. She joined siblings Kay, Muriel and Bill at the family home in Lewiston, New York. Another brother, Charlie, followed 5 years later. Pinches family life was dominated by church, school, friends and extended family. Since Ruth's dad was raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, the family was quite "international," frequently crossing the bridge to visit Ruth's grandmother and aunt. Ontario was, and still is, the location of the family cottage on Eagle Lake, which Ruth enjoyed since the age of 7.
Ruth excelled at school, graduating from Lewiston-Porter high school in 1968 as class salutatorian. She attended Wheaton College in Illinois, majoring in Political Science. Animated by a strong sense of justice and possessed of a good mind for details, after graduating from Wheaton in 1972, Ruth pursued her law degree at George Washington University in Washington, DC, finishing there in 1976. She moved to New York City to work as legal counsel, first for Chemical Bank and later for Citicorp. She loved the city and excelled at her job, receiving frequent promotions. Loyalty to work was moderated by a love for the outdoors and for friends and family. In her many years living singly in NYC, Ruth dedicated herself to nurturing family connections, caring for her aging parents and showering attention on her 14 nieces and nephews, welcoming them for visits when possible, keeping track of their birthdays and sending them gifts. Many in that group still name her their favorite Aunt Ruthie.
Ruth married Tom Powers in 1995. For about a decade the two alternated between their townhouse in NJ and the condo in Manhattan. They shared many enjoyments, especially hiking and skiing. Ruth retired early so they could move to the state they loved most: Colorado. For 20 years they lived in the Vail region, in homes they took great pride in caring for and appointing beautifully, first in Edwards, and later in Gypsum. They explored and eagerly digested the geographic details of the region, sharing a quirky but endearing love for maps.
Ruth was known in the Eagle River Valley as a vital, indomitable force, volunteering with unbending loyalty for organizations and causes that serve the common good. She was active in the Eagle River Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder for many years. Through her church, she became intimately involved in the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership, serving on its board until her untimely death. She volunteered locally at Habitat for Humanity, serving on its local board, and spending many hours soliciting and sorting gifts to its Restore in Gypsum. In the past few years Ruth has given countless hours to the Eagle County libraries where she served as chairperson of the board. Indeed, in 2019 Ruth was named Outstanding Trustee of the year by the Colorado Association of Libraries. She was an avid quilter and an enthusiastic member of the Arrowhead Alpine Club.
Ruth's strong dedication to all these causes and callings flowed from her steadfast Christian faith. She is now at rest from her labors, in the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her father Charles, her beloved mother Helen, who died in 2022 at age 102, her sister Muriel and her brother William. She is survived by her husband Tom Powers, to whom she gave loving and steadfast care in the recent years of his worsening chronic illness, step-daughter Jenny Powers, sister Kay Moore and brother Charles Pinches and his wife Robin. She will be missed by 14 nieces and nephews: Ginny Moore Turnbull, Philip Moore, Debbie Moore Turnbull, Becky Moore MacLeod, Cynthia Wilson Klassen, David Wilson, Stephanie Pinches Langston, Sharon Pinches Creason, Jon Pinches, Cameron Pinches, Jordan Pinches, Nathan Pinches, Claire Pinches Lovero and Seth Pinches.
Ruth's funeral will be held on January 21 at 11:00 AM at the Eagle River Presbyterian Church in Avon. Gifts in her memory can be given to the Eagle River Presbyterian Church, 455 Nottingham Ranch Rd, Avon, CO 81620; Zimbabwe Mission Partnership, 1151 Eagle Drive, #185, Loveland CO, 80537; or Habitat for Humanity, Vail Valley, PO Box 4149, Avon CO, 81620.
Vail Daily page A10 - January 20, 2023
A memorial service for Ruth and Tom Powers will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Eagle River Presbyterian Church, 455 Nottingham Ranch Road, in Avon.
