Ann Catherine Powell

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Ann Catherine Powell (Selle). She passed unexpectedly, at her home, on February 9, 2022. She was a strong 87 years young, born on April 16, 1934, in Gainesville, Florida to Ann Catherine(Kay) and John Frederick Selle. She grew up a happy girl, riding her bike down the “big hill” under the canopy of oak and pine trees in the shadow of the University of Florida. Growing up just down the street from UF, she was destined to be a Gator! She graduated UF with a degree in Elementary Education and she was very active in the Chi Omega sorority and remained close with her sisters her whole life. While attending UF, she was set up on a blind date, where she met her future husband, Robert (Bobby) Powell from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They were immediately “pinned”, and remained so for the rest of their lives. After graduation, Ann taught kindergarten for a short time while Bobby was in the Airforce. After getting married in Gainesville, the couple moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1958, when they built their home on SE 11 Street Isle. They lived there, happily married for 62 years, and are remembered fondly as friendly, and gracious hosts for many parties including their HUGE Fourth of July Party each year! Upon moving to Fort Lauderdale, Ann continued her love of education and working with children as a third grade teacher at East Side School. She also began her journey in volunteering and charitable work. As a new bride, it was her sister-in-law, a founding member of Children’s Aid Club, that brought her into a very special group of amazing women, creating lifelong treasured friendships and support. In addition to her work as an honored LIfetime Member of CAC, Ann also devoted her time to numerous other organizations throughout her life, including President of the Junior League, Cystic Fibrosis Gold Coast Guild, Bonnet House, Covenant House, Hope Women’s Center, God’s Little Lambs Preschool, Hope Women’s Center, & JCCF, just to name a few. She is also remembered fondly as a founding contributor and team member of the original Discovery Center which is now the Museum of Discovery and Science/IMAX in downtown Fort Lauderdale. In addition to teaching and volunteering, Ann was also the mother of three children, Robert Jr.(RO), and twins Casey and Kaki. Motherhood was her priority, and her love for her children and raising a family led to countless hours carpooling kids in her wood paneled Ford station wagon to school, swim meets at LYC, football/soccer/volleyball/baseball and softball games and practices at Floyd Hull Stadium(where she also worked the concession stand), and endless amounts of other activities, all the while still taking care of the household and managing to cook a sit down dinner almost every night! She was also a master lobster measurer for the family’s annual tradition of diving for lobster in the Keys for Lobster Mini Season, never missing a year on the boat til the end! She was a fun, amazing, and incredible mom, teaching us kindness, generosity, compassion, fairness, and empathy, while guiding us always with strength, courage, hard work, integrity and grace. She was and will always be the perfect role model! Ann also loved to travel, traveling all around the United States with her family in their motorhomes, ‘Felix’ and ‘Bart’ as well as visiting many countries, and venturing on numerous exciting trips with her dear friends. Once her children finished high school, Ann was able to devote most of her time to her volunteer and charity work which she did almost every day, all year round. She truly loved giving her time to causes that helped those in need, and worked tirelessly at it. She was always there to help, with open arms and a loving heart. It was in her service to others, be it family, friends, or charity, that she found the most fulfillment and happiness, creating sincere,, dear, and lasting friendships through love and support, both with and for others, all with a grateful heart. She was a sustaining force that touched the lives of so many, and she cherished us all, just as much as we cherished her. She was sincere, loyal, capable, adaptable, thoughtful and kind, an exceptional woman, and an extraordinary inspiration to us all. We are all truly blessed to have had her in our lives.It is our family’s hope that each of us carry with us always, her lasting legacy of love, and her warm, caring and generous spirit, spreading it fondly, in her memory, every day…we feel whole heartedly that is what she would have wanted. Ann is predeceased in death by her husband Bobby, and her son Casey. She is survived by her son Robert Otis Powell, Jr., his wife Dorothy and grandsons Robert Otis Powell III, and Rogan Armstrong Powell, her daughter Ann Katharine(Kaki) Powell Gambardella and her husband Steven Gambardella and grandsons Steven Nicolas Gambardella and Gavin Thomas Gambardella. A Celebration of Life will be held to honor and eulogize both Ann and Bobby, on Saturday March 12 at the Lauderdale Yacht Club from 3-5pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making a donation to Children’s Aid Club.