Josephine Powell, talented potter

Josephine (Emanuele) Powell, 97, of Milton, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2022. She was born Dec. 29, 1924, in Oil City, Pa., daughter of the late Louis Cono and Pauline (Manna) Emanuele.  Josephine married Myrl Powell in June 1962 and they lived in Silver Spring, Md., where they raised their son Michael before moving to Chestnut Street in Milton in 2010.

Josephine loved making pottery, gardening and her family.

Josephine taught in several schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland, subjects including cosmetology, art and her passion, pottery.  After her retirement, Josephine remained active in teaching pottery classes to adults at Montgomery College in Silver Spring. She also operated a daycare center out of her house in Silver Spring. 

Josephine loved to travel and made trips to Mexico and Guatemala many times to take classes in Native American pottery techniques.  She drove with Myrl and other friends to Mexico and back several times to bring home the pottery she made while studying and working there. In 1965, Myrl and Josephine bought a cottage in South Bethany and spent summers there fishing and relaxing with family.  It was during these trips to Delaware that Josephine became active in Rehoboth Art League, where she spent countless days making and selling her pottery.

She is survived by her son, Michael Powell, and daughter-in-law, Jerri, both of Milton.  She is also survived by three sisters whom she loved dearly, Anna Marie, Katherine and Augusta.  She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Guy.

Josephine was buried alongside her husband, Myrl, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.  No date for a service has been set but the family anticipates having a service in Oil City, Pa., where many of her family members reside.  Jo’s family anticipates having a small gathering of family and friends in the backyard of Myrl and Josephine’s house in Milton in early September.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Josephine Powell’s memory to Rehoboth Art League, rehobothartleague.org.

Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Milton.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.