Debbie Powell (Minnich)

Debbie Powell (Minnich), 69, passed away Saturday January 21st at her home in Downey, CA with members of her family next to her. Debbie was born in 1953 in Pennsylvania and moved to Downey with her parents and sister when she was very young and lived in Downey for most of her life.

Debbie graduated from Downey High School in 1971 and went on to earn an AA Degree in Business-Accounting from what was then called Cerritos Junior College. She worked at “the Broadway” department store in Stonewood Center, where she started to date her future husband, John, who was a co-worker. They had met previously at the Moravian Church of Downey where they were both long-time members. They were married in 1974 and had two children, Eric and Alyson.

Debbie had worked at Thrifty Oil Company, also known as Golden Springs Development Company, for 45 years before she retired. Debbie and John liked road trips, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, and visited many national parks, as well as train trips with their children to see relatives and parts of the United States better seen from the ground rather than by air. They also went on many cruises, to places like Alaska, Canada and Mexico.

Debbie is survived by her husband John and their two children, Eric and Alyson, as well as her brother and sister and two grandchildren.

Services for Debbie will be on February 9th at 10 AM at Miller Mies Mortuary in Downey, followed by burial at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.