Lorena Sue Powell

The entire Quincy community mourns the loss of Lorena Sue Powell who died on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the age of eighty-seven. Sue lived in Quincy since 1957 and taught in the Plumas County School district for over thirty years, first as a home schoolteacher and then as a Pioneer Elementary School teacher. She impacted hundreds of children’s lives with her warm demeanor, her encouragement, her enthusiasm and her loving disposition.

Sue was born in Sweetwater, Texas, and moved to Sacramento, California, at the age of twelve when her father’s promotion within Western Union resulted in a transfer. She graduated with honors from San Juan High School and then attended California State University, Sacramento, where she met her husband of sixty-six years, Red Powell. The couple married in their senior year of college, and then transferred to Chico State University, where they both completed their teaching credentials and soon thereafter relocated to Quincy to begin their teaching careers. They raised their four sons – Matthew, Mark, John and Thomas – in Quincy and were very proud to see all of them graduate from their college alma mater and go on to enjoy happy, productive lives.

In addition to being one of the world’s most wonderful mothers and teachers, Sue was an avid reader and found a second home in the Plumas County Library. In addition, to ensure she wasn’t left abandoned at home on winter weekends, she became an accomplished skier and in years past could be seen swooshing down the slopes of Johnsville. During her early years in Quincy, she played on the local women’s softball team, volunteered in various community organizations, and organized a clothing drive to send clothes to children who had been orphaned in Viet Nam during the war. She was also an ardent animal lover, was seldom without a dog and made it her personal mission to keep all the birds in the neighborhood well fed. In more recent years, it was not uncommon to find Sue enjoying her preferred form of exercise, walking down by the airport runway. Of course, this routine invariably also included a visit to one of the local cafes where her fitness regime would conclude by enjoying a cup of coffee and chocolate chip cookie.

Sue will be greatly missed. The family intends to host a memorial service for her later this spring.