Dianne Elizabeth Powers

Dianne Elizabeth Powers left this world on Wednesday, August 5th, with the same fierce energy she brought to it. Two of her dearest friends were at her side. Dianne battled to preserve a sense of dignity and self for several months after receiving a glioblastoma diagnosis. She maintained both-along with a sense of humor. The outpouring of well wishes from so many different people she had touched in her lifetime is a tribute to how she lived it.

Dianne was born in Baltimore and grew up in Lewisburg but spent most of her adult life on Martha's Vineyard. After graduating from high school and shortly thereafter, Garland Junior College, Dianne set out for what would be a lifetime of curiosity and tackling new things.

After some summer stints on the Vineyard following college, Dianne stayed on to make it her home. She eventually took up residence on Music Street, helping care for family and the three home property overall. Dianne's generous nature allowed for an impressive rotation of visitors each summer-some family, some friends, and eventually, a bunch of college age baseball players having been recruited to play for the Sharks. Her door was always open, and she was a consummate host. While on the Vineyard, Dianne found community in various aspects of the island. She took karate for several years, worked as an EMT, served on the schoolboard, and took an active role in the West Tisbury Agricultural Fair. She also served on the board of selectmen in West Tisbury for a number of years and according to a dear friend "was a force in the town government." She was never one to back down from a challenge, but her opinions were (usually) delivered with diplomacy. Professionally, Dianne worked at various island businesses but ultimately found her way to doing title work at a law office in Edgartown. During that time, Dianne ran for and was elected to be the Registrar of Deeds for Dukes County, a position she held for 22 years.

Having lived her formative years in Lewisburg with her parents, Harvey and Betsy Powers, and sister Christina and brother Marc, Dianne had a strong connection to the town she eventually returned to. She found a home along the Susquehanna River that she worked tirelessly to maintain and took both pride and pleasure in doing so. Dianne immediately picked up where she left off enjoying the company of close friends and classmates and forging new ties to her neighborhood community and the Lewisburg community as a whole.

Dianne loved a good project and was always working on several at once. Her energy was boundless as was her sense of service, which she continued to do after leaving the island.

Dianne served on Lewisburg Borough Council and various boards and commissions. Another council member noted that she brought years of lived borough experience, reliability and care for her constituents and almost equally important; humor. Additionally, she worked on the Green Team to maintain designated borough properties and encourage the growth of native species, particularly at Lewisburg Landing and at Mariah's Garden behind her South Front Street home. She was also a frequent volunteer at the Scratching Post Cat Café.

Upon learning of her diagnosis, Dianne's first thoughts were of her dogs, Maggie and T'Challa. As much as she loved her friends and family, Dianne was an animal person. Many years ago, she bought a black female Great Dane puppy who 'might' have show dog potential. She didn't turn out for the show ring, but Dianne totally fell in love with the breed. Her deep love of Great Danes led her to join the Great Dane Club of New England. Soon she took over the rescue program and ran it for several years, helping Danes in need find new homes. Dianne served many years on the GDCNE Board of Directors and served as trial secretary for their obedience and rally trials. Dianne had the thrill of a lifetime watching a dog that she bred compete with the best of the best at the National Specialty. T'Challa became a top 20 Dane in the country in 2023. Dianne became interested in the dynamics of the show ring and as a result, served as a ring steward for the last two National Specialties

Dianne is survived by her brother Marc Powers and his wife Audrey of Trumansburg, NY; nieces Betsy Van Buskirk of Lewisburg and Katie (Van Buskirk) Oliver and her husband Christopher of Pennsylvania Furnace, PA; nephews Judson Powers and his wife Megan of Ithaca, NY and Austin Powers of Phuket, Thailand; great nephew Aaron Van Buskirk and his wife Amanda of Waltham, MA; great nieces Gwen (Oliver) Ganley and her husband Jonathon of Arlington, VA, Tia Oliver of Arlington,VA, Erika Powers of Ithaca, NY, and Stella Powers of Beijing, China; great-great nephew Clayton Van Buskirk of Waltham, MA; and a horde of cousins, extended family and friends from all over the world and a chia pet.

Dianne had a heart of gold and lived by the golden rule. She respected people from all walks of life and their various opinions and will be remembered and missed by all.

A celebration of life will be held at Bucknell Hall on September 26th at 1:00PM with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dianne's name may be sent to one of the following charities:

MV Sharks Baseball Foundation Inc.

P.O. Box 2058

Vineyard Haven MA 02568

Cherished Cats Rescue Alliance/The Scratching Post Cat Café

230 Market Street, Suite 1

Lewisburg, PA 17837

The Great Dane Club of America Charitable Trust

online: <https://gdcacharitabletrust.org/donation/>

or

Great Dane Club of America Charitable Trust

c/o Jim Remaklus

444A Moon River Ct

Savannah, GA 31406-8908