AMHERST - M. Eleanor (Vershon) Powers, 84, died suddenly Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, at home in Amherst.

Born in Holyoke on May 16, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Raymond A. and Lauria (Roy) Vershon. Eleanor attended local schools in Holyoke. She married her husband, the late Clarence W. Powers in 1947, and together they moved to Amherst. She was a communicant of St. Brigid's Church for over 50 years. Eleanor was an avid reader and enjoyed knitting, but her greatest love was her grandchildren.

She is survived by her three sons, James E. of East Kingston, N.H., Richard A. of Ashfield, and Thomas F. of Greenfield; her daughter, Ann M. of Greenfield; her brother, Francis Vershon; two sisters, Rosemary Somers and Lauria St. Onge; two grandchildren, Matthew and Sarah; one great-grandchild, Julien; and many nieces and nephews. Eleanor was also predeceased by her brother, Raymond; and her sister, Helen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Dec. 28, at 10 a.m. in St. Brigid's Church, Amherst. Burial will follow in St. Brigid's Cemetery. A calling hour will precede services on Monday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Obituary and register are available at www.douglassfuneral.com.