Margaret L. Hamilton

Margaret Leonore Powell was born in Willoughby Township (now Willoughby Hills), Ohio, on January 27, 1952. She is the beloved daughter of Robert W. and Mary Carolyn Powell, long-time residents of Shaker Heights, who preceded her in death in 2004 and 2016, respectively. She is also preceded by her sister, Mary Carolyn, and her brother, Robert W., Jr., (Marcia) who died in 1959 and 2020, respectively. She is survived by her brothers and sisters, Mary Ann Zimmer (Mitchell J. Kassel) of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Nancy E. Powell (Renata Gowie) of Houston, Texas; John G. of Tallahassee, Florida; Thomas J. (Dr. Cecilia McKay) of Portland, Oregon; James C. (Eric R. Weaver) of Evanston, Illinois; and Richard S. (Laura) of Austin, Texas; and her aunt, Elise Tighe, of New Albany, Indiana.

Margaret was a devout Roman Catholic and devoted fan of the University of Notre Dame “Fighting Irish.” A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 1^st, at 10:00 AM EDT, at Church of the Gesu, 2470 Miramar Boulevard, University Heights. Interment will be at Oak Dale Cemetery, 319 Patrick Avenue, Urbana, Ohio. 

In 1973 Margaret’s work career began in Los Angeles, California, with Friskies Pet Care (part of Carnation Company and subsequently Nestle Purina), where she was a quality control specialist, and it continued with TV Guide in the legal department.

In 2009 Margaret moved back to Shaker Heights to care for her mother at the Powell Family’s residence since 1958. While her mother was alive Margaret was a volunteer with the Shaker Heights Police Department, and from 2016 to 2024 she was employed by the Department as a loyal and proud Police Information Specialist. In 2023 Margaret was named “Civilian of the Year.” She was also a member of the Citizens Police Academy, for a time serving as its Secretary. In 2023 she was presented with the “Allison Hart Volunteer Service Award” by the Academy. The family requests that those who wish to make contributions in her name do so to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 444 “E” Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.

Friends may call at Brown-Forward Funeral Home, 17022 Chagrin Bouevard, Shaker Heights, Ohio, on Friday, July 31^st , between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.