A Celebration of life for Deborah Joanne Powell has been rescheduled from August 25 to August 28, 2021, from 1 - 4 pm, in the Rockport Masonic Center, at 361 Main Street, Rockport, Maine.

PINEHURST, N.C. – Deborah Joanne Powell, 57, formerly of New Gloucester, Maine, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2021, in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, January 18, 1964, she was one of four children born to Burton Ludwig and Rebecca Ripley. 

Debbie attended Rockport and Camden schools and graduated with high honors from Camden-Rockport High School in 1982.  During her high school years, she was class president, a member of the National Honor Society and the French Club, and on the varsity softball and golf teams.  Debbie also attended art classes at Harry Smith’s Art School in Camden.  Following high school, Debbie graduated from the Philadelphia College of Textile and Science in 1986 receiving an engineering degree with a concentration in textile.

Growing up in Rockport, Debbie worked at the Corner Shop Restaurant and at the Lobster Pound Restaurant in Lincolnville.  During her sophomore year in college, she was recruited to work at Bell Industries in Lewiston, Maine, after graduation.  At Bell Industries, Debbie was a talented executive, working both in production and sales.  She was so proud to work at Bell and made several friendships during her time there.

In 1990, Debbie married Phil Powell while they lived in Auburn and later moved to their home in New Gloucester. 

In 1993, they had their beautiful twin daughters, Rachel and Grace.  Debbie was so excited to have twin girls and glowed when she spoke of them.  To help everyone tell the twins apart, she dressed Rachel in red and Grace in green.  She would do anything for them as she loved them so much.

After moving to Pinehurst, North Carolina, in 2012, Debbie continued to work in the textile field as a consultant.  She enjoyed the warm weather, her neighborhood friends, and loved to golf on the beautiful golf courses. 

Debbie had a strong love for her family.  For several years, she was the President of the Upham Family Reunion.  She was a strong leader, organizer, and promoter for her family.  During the family reunions held in the summer each year, she helped with the raffle prizes by making her colorful quilts, gave the best opening speeches, strived to maintain updated information on each family member, organized several fundraising projects, and made a point to talk to each person who attended each year.  During the Upham cookbook project one year, Debbie helped with the collaboration of recipes and drew the artwork on the front cover.  Everyone loved Debbie and she will be greatly missed by her family.

Debbie was gifted in arts, drawing, designing, sewing, crocheting, and knitting.  She was so creative, thoughtful, and loved to help and teach everyone.  She made several baby quilts and baby sweaters over the years. 

She grew beautiful flower and vegetable gardens.  Debbie could tell you the scientific flower name along with the common names of every flower.  Some of her favorite flowers were irises, lilies, and roses. 

Her love for sports especially baseball, NASCAR racing, and golf brought out her competitive nature.  She would often hold family bets making her sport picks each week. 

Debbie loved the Boston Red Sox and would often go to see them play in Fenway.  She loved to cook and create recipes, loved music and dancing, and loved to send cards to family and friends on their birthdays.

She was predeceased by her father, Sonny Ludwig; sister, Lynette Ludwig; and stepfather, Richard Ripley, Sr.

Debbie is survived by her daughters, Rachel Powell Bedell and husband, Josh, of North Carolina, and Grace Powell, of Connecticut; her mother, Rebecca Ripley, of Rockport; sister, Melanie Ludwig; brother, Dale Ludwig; sister, Dixie Wallace and husband, Mark; sister, Sonia Browder and husband, Matthew; sister, Amanda Ludwig; sister, Natalia Ludwig; brother, Burton Ludwig III and wife, Aphtyn; and stepmother, Barbara Ludwig.  She has several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Debbie’s Life will be held on August 25, 2021, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Debbie’s mother’s home in Rockport, Maine.  A private graveside service will be held at a later date.