Joan Marie Powers (Dillen) was born August 1, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to Alice Johanna Walsh(Dillen) and Walter Sigurd Dillen and Joan was raised for much of her life by her maternal Aunt, Alice Brown. Joan passed away April 20, 2025 at the age of 94.

Joan Married Richard William Powers in Chicago, Illinois and had 4 children; Gail, Diane, Daniel and Sarah.  They moved from Cicero, Illinois to Glen Ellyn, Illinois in 1958 to raise their family.

Joan received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Il, then proceeded to get her MSW at the University of Illinois (Circle Campus) Chicago.

She worked in various positions as a Social Worker, to name a few, Hospice, Youth Crisis Center and finally receiving her LSW that parlayed into a long career helping others as an Independent Therapist. Her successful career spanned over 40 years.

Later in life Joan met the love of her life Thomas Adams who she met at John’s Buffet in Warrenville, Illinois, they were together 32 years and eventually married November 2011.

Joan thrived on helping others and hosted many parties and gatherings for her family and friends.  She and Tom (a carpenter) always had homes with large spaces to gather these friends and family for so many special occasions.

Joan loved art, taking many art classes to create beautiful art work that was showcased wherever she lived.  She was very spiritual and was an avid reader.  Joan would often tell people that she had an IQ of 160 and there was no doubt as her intelligence and amazing analytical mind was sought after by many of her friends and family for her wisdom, advice and unwavering support.

Joan loved all animals most importantly her cats Smokey and Butter.  Besides her love of her cats she loved swimming with Dolphins.  She had many artifacts, pictures and jewelry of Dolphins and some of her ashes will be honored by her family and will be spread in the waters of the Florida Keys near Dolphins to set her spirit free in one of the places she loved most.

Joan is survived by her 4 children Gail, Diane, Daniel and Sarah and 7 Grandchildren (Rachel, Ryan, Kelly, Christian, Melissa, Abigail, Samuel and Mack and 7 Great Grandchildren (Corbin, Tucker, Colton, Braxton, Kingston, Sophia and Malachi).  She is proceeded in death by her mother (Alice) and father (Walter), husbands Richard and Tom and her beloved cat Smokey.

There will be a memorial gathering of family (and friends) to honor our Mother in Glen Ellyn, Illinois August 2nd .  Details to come.

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