Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Gloria Powers, 1945-2012
Posted by Will Coviello on Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Gloria Powers was a longtime supporter of the art, music and culture of New Orleans. After recent illness, she went to Lafayette to be with her family. Powers died this morning.
Powers served as the executive director of the Foundation for Entertainment Development and Education, which runs the Big Easy Awards, since 1991. The foundation annually recognized achievement in music, theater and classical arts, and through grants it supports development and education. Powers was also active with the Living History Project. She was trained as a cultural anthropologist and worked with many Louisiana festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Voodoo Experience.
There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Trinity Episcopal Church.
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Comments (18)
Showing 1-18 of 18
Gloria will be dearly missed by all who knew her & worked with her.......
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dislike23 years ago, Gloria got me involved with what was the New Orleans Music & Entertainment Association. My career path since then can be traced back to that moment. Thank you, Gloria, for being a mentor and an inspiration and for brightening New Orleans with your energy & spirit.
You know those oh-so-few people who go out of their way to say a nice thing? That was Gloria. She had vision, drive, and great musical taste, and it was an honor to work alongside her as part of the extended Gambit family.
Gloria had a profound effect on me in many ways. She encouraged me to join the Big Easy Theatre Committee and, some years back, also encouraged me to also join the Opera and Classical Committee. With Gloria at the helm, the Big Easy Entertainment Awards became the gold standard in local awards shows. Her work with the Living History group was yet another of her pet projects in which local actors portrayed historical figures. She was a tireless promoter of New Orleans music and the culture of our city, I am especially sad for her three girls and for her grandchildren. Gambit and New Orleans have lost a true local star.
Gloria Powers, A guiding light who embraced others, spotted talent from across the room, and most importantly brightened up whatever room she was in. I will miss her kindness.
The Gloria Powers Memorial Fund has been set up at the New Orleans Musicians Clinic & Assistance Foundation. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to to NOMCAF to help keep our musicians healthy and playing. Gloria would want it no other way...
Donations can be made at www.nomaf.org/donations.php (put Gloria's name in the subject line of the online form) or checks can be made out to NOMAF (with Gloria Powers in the subject line). New Orleans Musicians Assistance Fdn. c/o Donor Relations 1525 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans, La. 70115
Thank you all for your love and support.
-Jessica Bride, Gloria's youngest daughter
When I was a member of the Cosmic Krewe we had so many amazing adventures with Gloria. Greece, Germany, Italy, and many many more. Wherever we went she would make time to go see and touch the local culture and history. She was an incredible person who had a major impact on my life.
Have nothing but good memories of Gloria from way back when she was a F. T. Nicholls Rebel Class of 1962.
I shared homeroom with Gloria back in the day at F. T. Nicholls High School. We have checked in with each othe thru the years and she has always been such a very special person. She was a one of a kind unique person and so loyal to her friends and to the local arts & music community. She will be missed by so many..............
Jeanne Powell Jordano
Gloria was a gift to all of us,that will not soon be replaced.She was a shining light of what we all should aspire to be,she was not limited by the inhibitions of the conventional world,she always ascended to a higher plane.Thank you,Gloria,for all the love and kindness you shared with your friends and family,especially at Mardi Gras.
Gloria was a willing worker, a devoted admirer and a committed warrior on the cultural landscape. Always advocating,always strategizing,always holding up her love for culture, art and New Orleans.
We have a new New Orleans Angel named Gloria...shine on , shine on!
Carol Bebelle
Gloria was one of my best friends. We spent a lot of time together, especially in the formative years of the Big Easy Awards. Love you, miss you, she will be remembered as a true New Orleans treasure.
Thirty years ago, Jimmy Journey gave me her phone number when I first moved to New Orleans. What an amazing woman she was.
Gloria was a wonderful and giving woman. She is the main reason I helped with Gambit funtions, she never had a bad word to say only incouraged. She will be missed greatly in the New Orleans community.
What a great lady.......loved her music and truly loved people....honor and pleasure to have known you Gloria!!
Gloria was such a supporter of all artists. I know that she was there for me when I was in a bad way, and that was her spirit. The Bywater has lost a soul, but only in the flesh! I look forward to her spirit living on...
Gloria Powers was a very special person and as an artist herself, she always supported the arts in a very personal way. She was always very supportive to us and we will surely miss her kindnesses. New Orleans has a great loss with the passing of Gloria. Thank you, Patty Lee and Armand St. Martin
Gloria was interesting to say the least. She loved her daughters and New Orleans.
She help establish my music career over 25 years ago and involvement with NOME. I left New Orleans came back and left again. The one constant was G L O R I A. New Orleans will miss her and so will I.
Peace be with you
ROMEO
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