Graciela C. Powers

Graciela C. Powers

August 23,1934 - November 15, 2024

Graciela Consuelo Powers (Alejos), 90, of Westborough, MA, a beloved wife of 57 years to Robert J. Powers, a loving mother, grandmother (“Meme”), aunt and sister, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, November 15, 2024.

She will always be remembered as a kind, caring and thoughtful person, full of love for family and friends, many who lived in her birthplace of Peru. Despite the many miles between them, she remained close to her extended family in Peru and cherished her roots. Graciela was a creative and intelligent person - she was an accomplished seamstress and knitter who sold her sweaters in boutique shops in NYC, she was bilingual and often helped others with translations, she was a skilled calligraphist who addressed wedding invitations, she became computer literate very early in the burgeoning technology era and a dog lover who talked often of her beloved “Pogi” a dachshund who she cared for more than 16 years.

Graciela was the daughter of Juan and Fredesbinda (Olinda) Alejos, born in Callao, Peru where she spent her early years. She was an independent and courageous woman who, after graduating high school, moved thousands of miles from her home to Birmingham, Alabama, where she lived with her brother, Dr. Juan Alejos and his family, and studied for her associate’s degree. Later, she moved to Washington D.C, where she worked at the World Health Organization, and met the love of her life, Robert J. Powers, an officer in the U.S. Navy. They married in 1967 and were stationed around the world in places like the Philippines and Panama. In 1980, they moved to Westborough, MA where they put down long-term roots, made many friends and continued to raise their family. Graciela worked at GTE for many years before retiring from her position well into her 70’s, although none of her co-workers believed she was near retirement age. In retirement, she and Robert split their time between their homes in Westborough, MA and Daytona Beach Shores, FL.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Powers of Westborough, MA, her brother, Carlos Alejos, and his wife Ester of Lima, Peru and her sister-in-law, Rosalia Alejos of Culver City, CA. She is also survived by her children, Edmund Powers and his wife Jane Ford Powers, Monica Alexander (Powers) and her husband Todd Alexander, all of Westborough, MA and five grandchildren, Taylor Powers, Ryan Alexander, John (Jack) Powers, Nathan Alexander and Jason Alexander and many nieces and nephews in both Peru and the United States. She is pre-deceased by her brother Dr. Juan Alejos, formerly of Michigan, sister Adriana Alejos and brother Manuel Alejos, both of Lima, Peru.

Calling hours will be on Sunday, November 24, from 2 to 4 P.M. at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 25, at 10:30 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Donations in her memory can be made to the American Stroke Association at stroke.org