As the Irish proverb goes, death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Locals remembered the late president of the Madison-Marine-Homecrest Civic Association with a festive Irish fete at the third-annual Mary Powell Memorial Celebration at the Carmine Carro Center on March 18.
But the event wasn’t just about remembering the local leader — Powell’s son said the charity raises money for scholarship funds for community activists.
“As much as it honors my mother’s memory, it is really about the causes she stood for more than the individual,” said Richard Powell, chairman of the Mary Powell Foundation.
Residents raised $500 for the foundation, which distributes scholarships to activists of all ages who serve their neighborhoods through voluntary community service.
Throughout the evening, attendees listened to traditional Irish music from musician Donie Carroll and munched on sweet treats. The evening drew a diverse variety of residents, which Powell said was a phenomenal tribute to this mother who always brought people from different backgrounds together.
“She basically brought different groups together for the sake of the neighborhood,” he said.
Powell said that with any luck, next year’s celebration will rake in more green for the foundation.
“We expect to be back next year and ramp it up a little bit again,” he said.
