Margaret Elizabeth Powers

Margaret Elizabeth Powers, 90 years old, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 24, 2017, at Somerford Place in Redlands, California.
Margaret was born in Hoboken, New Jersey to Matthew and Margaret McCaffrey Keyes on February 13, 1927 and while she lived elsewhere, she considered herself a tried and true New Yorker. She moved to the city at an early age where she married Richard B. Powers. After modeling and working as a Corrections Officer, Margaret joined the New York City Police Department when women officers were still a rarity. She was the first female supervisor on patrol and eventually became the first female station house supervisor in NYPD’s history. While carving out a successful career with an impressive arrest record, she continued her education obtaining her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice before attending St. John’s University Law School. Fate intervened when Richard retired and Margaret opted to retire herself and leave the law behind in order to relocate to Florida to pursue other interests including travelling, acting, and painting. She had numerous roles and accolades while living in New Port Richey performing in local venues. In 1995, the couple moved to The Preserve in Sun City (Bluffton), South Carolina where Margaret was active in community affairs and fund-raising for a local charity.
In 2012, Margaret and her husband Richard, himself a highly decorated NYPD Emergency Services Officer of 27 years, moved to Redlands, California to be near their daughter and extended family. Shortly after arriving, she and Richard moved to Golden Oaks, a senior residence in Yucaipa. Alas, Richard passed away shortly thereafter. 
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Mary Karen and husband, Gary Gies; granddaughter, Jill Connelly and husband, Sean; 11 year old great-grandchildren, Moira, Cara, and Neal Connelly of Redlands; granddaughter, Meredith Floyd and husband, Jason, of San Diego; sister, Bridget Keyes and brother Matthew Keyes.
A Mass for the Dead will be held at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on Olive Street in Redlands on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 10:00 AM.  Margaret will be interned at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY, in a private service.