Elizabeth B. (Ash) Powell

Elizabeth Betsy Powell, 78, died Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Buckley HealthCare Center in Greenfield, Massachusetts, following a long illness. Born May 16, 1943, in Greenfield, Betsy was adopted and raised by Hubert and Emily (Legrow) Ash. She attended Greenfield public schools and was a 1961 graduate of Greenfield High School, where she participated in student government and other activities. 
A 1964 graduate of the New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, Betsy returned to Greenfield and worked as an operating room nurse at Franklin County Public Hospital and Franklin Medical Center for more than two decades. In 1987, she returned to Greenfield High School as the school nurse until her retirement in 2008. Her nursing career included service as president and board member of the Western Massachusetts Association of Operating Room Nurses, the Massachusetts School Nurses Association, and the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
Following retirement, Betsy served as president and board member of the Country Side Condominium Association in Greenfield, participated in the Country Side Reading Group and Snowbirds Bowling League, and volunteered at the visitor centers in Greenfield and Shelburne Falls. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings and Scrabble games and attended games, performances, concerts, and school events as a passionate supporter of her granddaughters’ activities. She was an avid reader who especially enjoyed Louise Penny’s novels, and she watched Jeopardy, Judge Judy, Wheel of Fortune, and animal programs religiously. She loved nature and wildlife.
Survivors include Susan Roberts of Buckland, whom she regarded as a sister; stepdaughter Charlene Powell of Biddeford, Maine; children Mark Johnson of Greenfield, Michael Johnson (Amy) of Montague, and Julie Davey (Matt) of Groton; granddaughters Colleen, Bailey, Emma, Madelyn, Chase, Eliza, Meghan, and Jenny; and granddogs Boomer and Henry. Betsy was predeceased by her parents; husband John Powell and first husband Jack Johnson; and stepson Kevin Powell.
Betsy’s ashes will be scattered at Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. There will be no funeral or memorial services.
Betsy was pleased to support various charities, and the family invites anyone who wants to make a gift in her memory to support the charity of their choice. Her family will establish The Betsy Powell Nursing Scholarship to assist students pursuing nursing degrees at Greenfield Community College. Anyone who wants to join them may send a check payable to the GCC Foundation with “The Betsy Powell Nursing Scholarship” on the memo line to The Betsy Powell Nursing Scholarship, c/o GCC Foundation, One College Drive, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Betsy’s family expresses gratitude to the people who helped Betsy stay in the home she loved for as long as she possibly could, especially Kelly Loynd, Charlene Moody, Kelly Stevens, and Nancy Wisenski, and the staff of LifePath, Lincare, My Guardian Angel, Pioneer Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, Valley Medical Group, and Victory Home Healthcare. The family is grateful to the people who provided compassionate, end-of-life care to Betsy at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Buckley HealthCare Center, and New England Hospice. The family also thanks the Kostanski Funeral Home staff for their services.
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.

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