Sheila C. Powers

Gallupville- Sheila Cecelia Elizabeth Crowley Spies Powers, 75, passed into eternal life surrounded by her family on December 8, 2006, after a brief illness. She was the daughter of the late William and Gertrude (Kennedy) Crowley, and was born on November 7, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York.
Sheila lived a life distinguished by selfless service to others. For over 20 years she has been President of Albany County Farm Bureau, and was an ardent champion of personal and property rights. She built and maintained a program of important benefits for Farm Bureau members, and was always ready to advocate for their needs. Sheila greeted visitors to the Farm Bureau booth at the Altamont Fair and spoke tirelessly on behalf of agriculture and rural interests.
For many years, Sheila was a Director and upstate travel coordinator for the Fresh Air Fund, and hosted numerous inner-city youths in her home; she also was a Girl Scout leader. Sheila was very active in community and civic affairs, was a long-term member of the Schoharie County Republican Committee, and served for years as an election inspector in the Town of Wright.
Sheila was fiercely devoted to her family; she was a proud parent to her own six children, a generous surrogate parent to other children in need, and she was a guiding light to her grandchildren. Hers was a life marked by passion: for her family, her causes, and for anyone who needed her support. Rarely has a life been more fully lived, nor more sorely missed.
Sheila was predeceased by her parents and her brothers Brian, Kevin and Alan Crowley. She is survived by her children: Maryann Van Scoy; Kathleen Hill and her husband John; Deborah Norris and her husband Michael; Christian Spies and his wife Janet; Sharon Spies; and Jennifer Taylor and her husband Jeffrey. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Erik Van Scoy, Samantha Beck and her husband Michael, and Brian Van Scoy; Meghan Hill; Lindsay, Matthew and Julie Norris; Sarah, Tom, Chris and Hannah Spies; and Jillian, Samuel and Erin Taylor; and by one great-grandchild Braeden Beck.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.). A joyous memorial celebration of Sheila's life will be held at the Gallupville Gospel Church, Route 443 in Gallupville, New York on Thursday, December 14, atarting at 4:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Becky's House, 296 Hackett Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 in memory of Sheila C. Powers. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.newcomerfamily.com.