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In Memory

Henrietta Loretta Dopkowski (Powell) - Class Of 1940 VIEW PROFILE

Henrietta Loretta Dopkowski (Powell)

HENRIETTA (DOPKOWSKI) POWELL

Powell, Henrietta (82)
Died in her sleep in her home in Placentia Friday, April 9, finally succumbing to a long battle with lung cancer. She is survived by Edwin, her husband of 63 years. Although they had no children of their own, Henrietta leaves behind many children and grandchildren from adopted families. The only child of Walter and Joan Dopkowski, Henrietta was born April 20th, 1921 in South Bend, Indiana.

She attended St. Stanislaus, a Polish Catholic parochial school for eight years. An excellent student, Henrietta was often called upon by the nuns to make eloquent Polish presentations. She went to South Bend Central High School where she excelled in athletics. She was Tennis Champion, great in Figure Ice Skating, Golf, Softball, Swimming and Snorkeling. Here she also met and fell in love with her Eddie. Their high school teacher and coach was John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach, who became Ed's mentor and role model, and still remains so today. They married on June 28th, 1941.

Six months later, Pearl Harbor was attacked. Ed enlisted in the Marine Corps. After his discharge from the Marines, Ed joined coach Wooden at Indiana State University. Ed was assistant coach and Henrietta was employed by Social Security Administration. Two years later, the Powells came to UCLA with the Wooden family, and Henrietta was fortunate to transfer to the Santa Monica Social Security office. In Santa Monica, she soon became an avid gardener, and won blue ribbons in various Santa Monica area flower shows for her efforts. At age 40, Ed changed careers, received a Master's Degree in Public Administration, was appointed City Administrator of Placentia, where he served until his retirement. In the meantime, Henrietta left her job with Social Security Administration. Her husband's position in the community presented Henrietta with opportunities to get involved in charitable and community organizations such as F.I.S.H.(Friends in Service to Humanity), Placentia Christmas Clearing Bureau for the Needy, S.O.A.R (Support our Aged Religious), H.I.S. (Homeless Intervention Shelter), Pope John Paul II Ladies Guild and many more.

Among her many civic contributions, Henrietta gave birth to the Placentia Dial-ur-Mayor Program, the first city in California to have this program. In 1971, the City Council honored Henrietta with a commendation for community service and several years later, named a city street Henrietta Circle. Henrietta and Ed enjoyed traveling to all parts of the world. Her most memorable moment occurred at the Cardinal's Residence in Warsaw, Poland when the Pope arrived for lunch on his first visit to Poland as Pope John Paul II. She enjoyed entertaining, and she offered her home for numerous city functions. She made candles of all sizes and shapes, so candles were burning everywhere. Very active at Pope John Paul II Center, three years ago, Henrietta and Ed reigned as Lord and Lady of the Manor at the Center's Fall Festival. Henrietta possessed the fine qualities to make people comfortable and at ease. She shared a zest for life. Henrietta Powell will be missed.

A memorial mass will be held at the Pope John Paul II Center at Rose and Imperial Highway in Yorba Linda on April 20, 2004 at 10:00 AM. Private burial will take place at Riverside National Cemetery. McAulay & Wallace (714)525-4721

Published by Los Angeles Times on Apr. 13, 2004.

02/21/2023 EJS



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