News Summary
Mary Powers, a beloved figure in Cranston, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully at age 85, leaving behind a legacy of love for her family and community. A registered nurse, Mary’s vibrant spirit was evident in her dedication to her family, her passions for crafting and swimming, and her active involvement in local schools and healthcare. Her funeral service will take place at the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home in Warwick. Contributions in her memory may be made to Tockwotton on the Waterfront.
Cranston, Rhode Island – Mary (Shallcross) Powers passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, at Tockwotton on the Waterfront in East Providence, where she had been residing for the past six years. She was 85 years old and is remembered for her lasting legacy of love and service to her family and community.
Mary is survived by her children, Mary Forti, who is married to Mark Forti, and Bill Powers Jr., who is married to Martha Sherrill. She leaves behind three grandchildren: Madeleine Forti, Lydia Forti, and Will Powers. Additionally, Mary is survived by her brother, Ted Shallcross Jr., and her nephew, Ted Shallcross III, who is married to Shannon Shallcross. She also has great-nephews, Teddy and Gethan Shallcross.
Born and raised on Smith Hill in Providence, Rhode Island, Mary was the daughter of Anne and Ted Shallcross Sr.. Throughout her life, she maintained a close bond with her siblings, including her sister Lou-Ann Nixon, with whom she lived at Tockwotton until Lou-Ann’s passing five months prior to Mary’s own death. The family has expressed gratitude to the staff at Tockwotton for their compassionate care during her time there.
Mary’s educational background includes graduating from St. Francis Xavier Academy and St. Joseph School of Nursing in Providence, where she became a registered nurse. In 1960, she married Bill Powers Sr., whom she met at a La Salle Academy dance. The couple lived in Arizona and various towns throughout New England before settling in Cranston in 1967.
Known for her fun-loving personality, generosity, and strong family ties, Mary enjoyed summers at the family’s Matunuck Beach house, where she cherished visits with her children and grandchildren in Boston and Cape Cod. A devout person, she was actively involved in her religious faith and dedicated many hours volunteering in Cranston public schools and at Mount Saint Rita Health Centre.
Mary also had a number of hobbies that included swimming, walking, and various crafts like decoupage and quilting. Her vibrant spirit touched the lives of many, and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Visitation for Mary Powers is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home in Warwick, RI. The funeral service will follow at 9:00 a.m., culminating with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston. Burial will take place afterward at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tockwotton on the Waterfront in Mary’s memory. Online condolences can be shared at www.boyleandsonfunerals.com. The obituary for Mary Powers was posted online on September 21, 2025, and subsequently published in the Providence Journal.
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Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
