Judith O. Powell

PDG Judy Powell

Today we lost a Past District Governor, a mentor, a friend, and a great Lion.

It’s with sadness that this message is being sent, PDG Judy passed away today at 11:45 am. No services are currently planned.

PDG Judy was born and grew up in Blue Island, Illinois on the southwest side of Chicago. Judith Olmsted Powell earned her B.A. in English and German at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 1963. Moved to Long Beach, California that year, she completed the requirements for a California teaching credential at then California State College at Long Beach. She subsequently taught in the Long Beach Unified School District, secondary schools for 35 years. Her subjects included German, American Literature, British Literature, The Bible as Literature, Journalism (newspaper and yearbook advisor), Film Analysis, and Radio/Television Workshop. She completed her M.A. in English at Cal State University Long Beach in 1974 and added additional year of studies beyond the Master’s.

PDG Judy joined the Long Beach Downtown Host Lions Club in 1990, serving on the usual committees and board of directors and editing the club bulletin for three years. She became club president for 2004-05, having been named its Golden Lion in 2002-03. She served as Cabinet Secretary in 2005-06 and as Region Chair and district bulletin editor in 2006-07. She is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow with 6 diamonds, a Harry J. Asian Fellow, and a Life Member of Canine Companions for Independence, as well as a recipient of her District’s medal for service and an International Presidents Medal in 2007. She has participated in three USA/Canada Forums and been a delegate to seven MD4 conventions and three international conventions. In 2019 she and PCC Roger transfer to the Montebello Lions Club. For the past several years has been the District Tail Twister.

Judy’s community service includes membership in the Assistance League of Long Beach, Port Ambassador for the Port of Long Beach (2002-07) and has served her church council for over twenty years. A member of Naples Improvement Association, twice elected to the Board of Trustees of Long Beach City College and served on the Fine Arts Associates Board from 1998 to 2005. She also the past president of the Teachers Association of Long Beach.

PDG Judy considered one of the most exciting experiences of her career to be her years of service on the State Teachers Retirement System Board (1982-87), having been elected its chairman and finance committee chair for 1984-87. During that period, she earned two certificates of completion in money management courses taken at the Wharton School of Business.

PDG Judy and PCC Roger have been married for over 48 years. They shared their home with Bubby the Cat.

We will miss you PDG Judy.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401