1955 – 2015

SCARBOROUGH — Penny Gay Poto Powell passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family on the morning of Sept. 28, 2015, after a long and admirably waged battle against gallbladder cancer.

She was born June 4, 1955 to Rosario (Rozzi) and Constance (Connie) Poto in Lewiston. Penny is remembered most lovingly by her husband, Dr. William Powell; her three children, Brent Rand, Emily Krams, and Heidi Rand; as well as her two beautiful granddaughters, Amelia Krams and Annabelle Rand. She also loved her siblings, Patricia Kordalski, Thomas Poto, Michael Poto and their families.

Penny graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn in 1973, followed by the University of Maine at Farmington in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Upon graduation, she began teaching first and third grade at St. Joseph’s School in Lewiston and Special Education in Auburn, where she made a lasting impression on many students. She left teaching after having her children and in 1985, Penny met her husband of 30 years, Dr. William Powell. She was instrumental in helping him build his dental practice in Windsor and was active in many roles within the practice during her nearly 30-year tenure.

The happiest times of her life were when she was with her granddaughters. She would often tell them, “I love you more than the whole world” and they loved her back. She would include them in many of her favorite activities and took them on frequent trips to Virginia and Florida.

Penny adored her pets, which most recently include her Black Lab, Huxley, and cats, Carlie and Simon.

Some of her favorite activities included paddle boarding, water skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. Most often, Penny was seen with a tennis racquet in hand, and over the years she played and competed in several tennis leagues, in which she made many dear friends. Her passion for tennis often coincided with her passion for travel, as she and Will attended major tennis tournaments throughout the United States and Europe.

Penny’s favorite destination was Jamaica, which she and Will visited numerous times and where they renewed their wedding vows after 29 years of marriage in December, 2014. Penny and Will built a beautiful home outside of Williamsburg, Va., where they planned to reside after Will’s retirement. This area held a special place in her heart as this is where she and Will honeymooned.

Penny had a large network of close friends. She loved to surround herself with her friends and made maintaining and growing those relationships a priority whether they were near or around the country. Penny was a remarkable and loving woman with a beautiful and ever present smile that she flashed effortlessly and often.

She lived her life with dignity, pride, and determination. These qualities carried her farther than anyone anticipated given her prognosis. Penny fought long and hard and with grace and strength. She inspired people with her perseverance and will to live her life to the fullest to the very end of her fight against an incurable cancer.

The family would like to express our sincerest thanks to Dr. Matthew Dugan and the entire staff at the New England Cancer Institute as well as the staff of the oncology unit at Maine Medical Center.