BY GINNY RAUE
WEST MILFORD — On July 9, 2014 West Milford lost one of its grande dames when Elsie Powers died at 100 years of age. Her passing saddened her family and the many friends she’d made during her well-lived century on this earth.
A girl from Brooklyn
Powers was born on Oct. 22, 1913 in a cold-water flat on Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn, N.Y. The child of German immigrants, she spent her youth living over her father’s ice cream and candy store. Vanilla ice cream remained a daily treat all her life.
She had a happy childhood and she remained a fan of Brooklyn throughout her years. Life wasn’t as easy as it is today, but she had no regrets.
In the winter, her family bathed in a tub in the kitchen, the only room with a coal stove. The family lived through world wars and The Depression and learned to do with less. Acceptance of the times got them through.
In the summer, she rode the trolley to Manhattan Beach, and in winter, the youngsters would look for the trolley displaying a red ball, signifying that the ice was safe for skating in Prospect Park.
Powers was a member of the Rainbow Girls, a Masonic youth organization and it was at a Rainbow dance that she met the love of her life, David Powers.
Moving to West Milford
Elsie and David married in 1935 and lived in a $27 per month apartment in Brooklyn. In 1950 they rented a summer house in Upper Greenwood Lake, eventually buying the house when David retired. He died in 1981, leaving his wife with 47 years of happy memories. She later moved to Bald Eagle Commons; a new home, new neighbors and friends.
Never one to sit idle, Powers worked as a class room aide in Upper Greenwood Lake until she was 93 years old. She was a member of the Bald Eagle Commons Serendipity Singers, the West Milford Garden Club, the Golden Jet Set and an adopted grandparent program in the town’s schools. Her happiest days were ones when she entertained her nieces and nephews.
Cathy Battaglia – care taker and friend
Two years ago, Cathy Battaglia moved to Bald Eagle Commons and met Powers for the first time.
“She had suffered an accident and realized afterwards she couldn’t do as much as before. She asked me to give her a hand and we became good pals,” Battaglia said.
Battaglia helped with daily chores and transportation and became a trusted companion. She joined the singing group with Powers and they recently practiced together because Powers wanted to be at her best to welcome a new music director.
“She was as positive as anyone could be. She was bold and brave and never focused on the fact that she was alone," Battaglia said. "She connected with everything in the universe; flowers, the trees outside her window, the moon. Good friends clung to her and she made all of her family her children. Her sense of humor and thoughtfulness went way beyond the average.”
Battaglia spoke of the tea parties they hosted and of Power’s 100th birthday party last October.
“She was given the floor and spoke for 45 minutes without notes. She went around the room and talked about each one. Everyone’s lives meant something to her. She had a very contented life,” Battaglia said, “and she filled a big space in my heart.”
Nancy Tamayne – sisters in song
Nancy Tamayne met Powers when she joined the Serendipity Singers; she was the youngest member and Powers was the oldest. She soon began weekly visits to her new friend.
“She had such a zest for life. She was grateful for where she was in life, she kept up on things, and had a lot of interests. She reinvented her life,” Tamayne said.
Tamayne described Powers as never being a "woe is me" person. She was genuinely happy for other people.
“Her super power was being thoughtful, open and accessible and it came back to her,” she said.
Powers wrote notes and made phone calls, keeping in touch with friends and family, and if she thought something needed to be said to local or national leaders, she didn’t hesitate. “They just need to know, and I’m going to tell them,” Powers would say.
Tamayne said another of her super powers was that she took nothing for granted, citing an outing they had.
“She hadn’t been to a movie in a long time. I took a few of the ladies and we went to see “Chicago.” She was thrilled to be out and about and went arm in arm with us like we were going into the Ritz,” Tamayne said.
She was impish, in a way. She had a beautiful smile and she’d be the first to break out in song or a little dance.
“I’ll miss her thoughtfulness and friendship. She had an encouraging and nurturing way. She cared about me a lot and I felt it,” Tamayne said.
Elsie Powers had a loving heart and a multitude of admirers who will miss her.
She also may have eased some concerns about eating ice cream; if you can eat it every day for almost 100 years, it can’t be that bad for you.