Maurine Powell Lester

Maurine Powell Lester, 91, of Sawyer, died with her family at her side on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. Visitation is from 7:00-8:00PM, Saturday, February 2, 2008, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 8:00PM, Saturday, at the funeral home, with Rev. Melanie Lawrence officiating. Memorial donations may be made in Maurine’s name to Fernwood Botanical Garden or to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to send a condolence message online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Maurine was born on January 20, 1917, in Collinsville, Illinois, to Maury and Hazel Derby Powell. She earned a Masters degree in Music from the University of Chicago. She went on to do additional graduate work in music at DePaul University. On June 14, 1941 she married Thomas William Lester in Three Oaks Community Church. During WWII, Maurine worked with the American Red Cross. She was a long time member of the Woodlawn Beach Association. Maurine is survived by her sons Dr. Eric (Audrey) Lester of St. Joseph, and Stephen (Rachel Goldstein) Lester of Chicago, IL; six grandchildren – Anne, Thomas William, IV, Andrew, Robert, Diana and Matthew Lester; and one great grandchild Mira Maurine Bruce. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Thomas William Lester.