Shirley Lee (Gibson) Pow, 88, passed away on June 14th, 2025. She was born on October 26th, 1936 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, a daughter of the late James F. and Pauline Primm Gibson.
Shirley loved her family, being a teacher, her Front Porch Bible Study ladies, the Steelers, and a Kretchmar’s cookie or two. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Burn Pow, her sister, Patricia Ann (Gibson) Seaman and her step-granddaughter, Estrella Jamie Soto.
She is survived by her daughter, Paula Soto, granddaughter, Cassidy Soto, her nieces and nephews, Kathy (Tom) Fiala, Karen Allcorn and Leonard (Tami) Seaman and her great nieces and nephews: Lauren Fiala, Lindsey (Shawn) Cramer, Natalie (Dom) Musilli, Helen Allcorn, Justin (Hillary) Seaman, Brendan Seaman, Ethan Seaman, Charlotte Cramer and Gwen Musilli.
She was dedicated to bridging divides of any kind: educational, racial, economic, familial, environmental, political and cultural, but Shirley valued above all, friendship, faith, hospitality, and storytelling.
In her final years, she was a resident of the Inn at Whitewood Village in North Canton, Ohio, where her niece and nephew provided consistent care through her battle with dementia. Anyone who knows Shirley well, knows how much she disliked dying in Cleveland Browns territory: and treasured her regular visits back to the hometown of her heart, Beaver, Pennsylvania.
Shirley’s magnificent home in downtown Beaver welcomed decades of gatherings of every type: from family holidays to front porch Bible studies; weddings; storyteller dinners; political campaign events; and girls’ sleepover parties. The Beaver Tales annual storytelling festival took form from community imagination and innovation, on that sunny, graciously spacious front porch.
Shirley found her life’s purpose as a teacher and Gifted Program Coordinator for Beaver Area Schools. Generations of students remember Mrs. Pow as the teacher whose enthusiasm enriched their lives and grew them into book readers. Her educational efforts rippled throughout the community via her volunteerism with the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation – Museum, Log Cabin, Beaver Station, and Beaver Tales programs; Christy House (a tea house at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church supporting missions for women and children); Beaver Area Memorial Library; Beaver Junior Women’s Club; Phi Mu; and the Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama. Shirley loved to travel and learn. Shirley always spoke up for what she firmly believed; and she matched her words with actions – leading by example.
Shirley had great happiness in helping to raise her granddaughter, Cassidy Soto. Shirley exemplified enduring love, and great humor, as she poured her grace and grit into being a parent and grandparent.
Shirley was an active member at Beaver United Methodist Church; and later in life at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (Sewickley, PA).
To honor her memory: She would like for you to remember the Storyteller’s Creed. Additionally, as “Mrs. Pow’s Chocolate Chip Cookies” are still fondly extolled by her daughter’s elementary school friends and college dorm friends alike, her family wishes to share the recipe. Shirley would suggest that you set a lovely table, to share stories and light with friends old and new, as you enjoy them.
Storyteller’s Creed
I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge.
That myth is more potent than history
That dreams are more powerful than facts
That hope always triumphs over experience
That laughter is the only cure for grief
And I believe that love is stronger than death.
Chocolate Chip Cookies (Shirley Pow)
1 cup Crisco
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
Cream together well.
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons salt
12 oz chocolate chips
Bake 10 minutes at 375 degrees on greased cookie sheet

Friends will be received at the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, on Sunday, June 22nd from 1-3 P.M. and 5-7 P.M. Funeral services will be held at College Avenue United Methodist Church, 345 College Avenue, Beaver, on Monday, June 23rd at 10 A.M. Friends and family are welcome to join in a Celebration of Life luncheon at the Beaver Station Cultural & Event Center, 1 River Road, Beaver, following the service. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to one of these organizations, to further the positive civic impacts of Shirley’s values and life’s work: Beaver Area Heritage Foundation (Beaver Tales), 1 River Road, Beaver, PA 15009, The Shirley & Dick Pow Education Scholarship in care of Beaver Area School District Education Foundation, 1300 Fifth Street, Beaver, PA 15009 or the ACLU https://www.aclu.org/ 1-888-567-ACLU.