Martha "Marty" Powell

Martha “Marty” Powell of Buffalo Grove, IL died peacefully on April 10, 2026 at age 99 after a brief illness. She was born on December 3, 1926 in Conemaugh, PA to George and Mary Searle, the 4th of 5 children. The family moved to Revloc, PA in 1931, where she lived until her marriage to Edward “Ted” Powell on November 29, 1947. After their marriage, Ted and Marty moved to Ebensburg, PA, where they welcomed the 1st two of their of four children. A job with the Boy Scouts of America took the family to Washington, D.C., Lewistown, PA and Wilmington, DE, before they settled in Newark, DE. Marty took a secretarial job at Newark High School in the guidance office, then moved to the Administrative Building of the Christina School District where she worked in the Business Office until her retirement in 1991. She remained in Delaware until 2009 when she relocated to Illinois to live with her daughter. Marty was a member of White Clay Creek Presbyterian church and, at the time of her passing, was their oldest living member. She enjoyed reading, walking, swimming and participating in the social programs at Sunrise of Buffalo Grove, including her favorite, balloon volleyball. Most of all, she cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and seeing photos of her 1st great-great grandson. She will be remembered for her smile, love, kindness and her ability to make everyone she met a friend, especially during her 5 years at Sunrise. She is survived by her four children, Barbara (Jim) Frost, Jean (Bill) McFarland, Marilyn (Brent) Roland and Robert “Bob” (Mary) Powell, and Wendy Fraser, who joined their family as an AFS student in 1965, and remains a beloved family member; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ted; her grandson Tim; her two brothers, Raymond and George Searle; and her two sisters, Doris Killinger and Vida Mattingley Services and Celebration of Life will be held at White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, 15 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark, DE on May 30, 2026 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church in her memory. A local Celebration of Life will be held on April 25 from 2-4 pm at her daughter Marilyn’s home in Vernon Hills. Arrangements by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville, IL. For info: 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.

Martha "Marty" Powell

December 3, 1926 - April 10, 2026