Brigitte Powell

Brigitte Emmy Weber Powell, 90, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 6, 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah A. Powell of Falls Church, Virginia, her daughter, Cristine Powell Homburg (Chris) of Frederick, MD, and her son, Mark D. Powell (Meredith) of Annapolis, Maryland, and four grandchildren, Danielle Homburg, Kyle Homburg, Caitlin Powell, Olivia Powell and great-grand child, Salem Homburg.

Born in Zurich, Switzerland on June 13, 1930, Brigitte completed her education, served as an ambulance driver in the Swiss Army and began a career in business, working in Zurich and Geneva. She enjoyed many travels and adventures and formed lifelong friendships. She began another adventure and traveled to America at the age of 29, arriving via ocean liner to New York Harbor on May 3, 1959. She traveled the US sightseeing, before reaching her destination of San Francisco, CA to work for Standard Oil of California. She met her husband in San Francisco and his career brought them to Gaithersburg, MD.

Brigitte loved education and languages. She spoke 6 languages which she enjoyed using as a translator, writing transcriptions part-time during her years as a homemaker. She was a champion of foreign language education and through her efforts working with schools and the Board of Education, brought the foreign language curriculum to elementary schools in Montgomery County, MD in the 1970’s.

Brigitte then began a 20 year career with the Bureau of National Affairs as the Director of International Sales, a position that serendipitously combined her love of business and languages with her love of travel. She traveled the globe visiting her sales distributors and enjoyed every minute of it, retiring in 1995.

Brigitte was vibrant and generous and loved talking with people all over the world. Travel and reading were her greatest pleasures after her family, she also enjoyed classical music, ballet and live performances. She had many hobbies and loved to knit, crochet, garden, color, solve word find puzzles and go for nature walks. She especially enjoyed raising her three children and spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren. She enjoyed Merry-Go-Rounds, ice cream cones, long walks, the sun and the beach. Her smile and generosity touched so many lives.

Viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph-on-New-Carrollton Manor, 5843 Manor Woods Road, Frederick, MD, followed by Services at 11:00. Due to Covid, social distancing and mask requirements will be necessary to attend. Burial will be held immediately following at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 515 South Market Street, Frederick, MD. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com. Flowers may be sent to Stauffer Funeral Home in Frederick. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association in her name.