Elizabeth L Powers

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Elizabeth "Lisa" Powers, on July 4, 2026, at the age of 85.Known as Liza to her Russian-speaking family and friends and Lisa after making her home in America, she built a life marked by resilience, curiosity, creativity, and a deep devotion to family and lifelong friendships.Lisa was born in the former Soviet Union to Gersh and Sonia (née Schiff) Rivkin on the eve of World War II. Trained as a chemist, she and her first husband, Lev Talanker, spent eight years as Soviet refuseniks after applying to emigrate, during which time she worked as a seamstress while waiting for permission to leave. In 1980, they were finally able to immigrate to Cleveland with their two young daughters, where the support and friendship of the Park Synagogue community helped them build a new life. After arriving in Cleveland, she was thankful for the opportunity to resume her scientific career as an analytical chemist at Sohio (later BP) and then at Case Western Reserve University. In retirement, she served as a Russian medical translator, helping others navigate the healthcare system.A lifelong learner, Lisa loved books, thoughtful conversations, and discovering new ideas. She participated in a TED Talk discussion group, a book club, a knitting group and a creative arts group. She volunteered at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and The Cleveland Museum of Art, ushered at many local theaters and volunteered for The Cleveland Film Festival and BigHearted Blooms, helping bring comfort and beauty to others through flowers.Her hands were rarely still. She found joy in creating beautiful things for the people she loved—from sewing costumes for her grandchildren to knitting hats, socks, scarves, blankets, and tiny keepsakes for the great-grandchildren she hoped would one day wear them. She also made pottery and jewelry, baked challah and artisan breads, prepared borscht, venegret, and her grandchildren's favorite blinchiki, and handcrafted chuppahs and tallises for family and friends.Her feet were rarely still, either. Lisa walked several miles nearly every day. Even during much of her four-year journey with ovarian cancer, she continued walking whenever she was able, inspiring everyone around her with her determination and resilience.Lisa treasured her friendships. She never forgot a kindness. The family and friends she left behind in Russia, together with those who welcomed and helped her family begin a new life in America, remained an important part of her life. She nurtured those friendships for decades, grateful for the people who walked alongside her through every chapter of her journey.Above all else, family was the center of Lisa's world. She was a devoted mother to two daughters, a loving grandmother to five grandchildren, and a proud great-grandmother.Lisa is survived by her daughters, Vera Tilson (David) and Natasha Davidson (Elliot); her grandchildren, Hannah Tilson, Leah Tilson, Zach Davidson (Danielle), Hallie Reisman (Max), Greg Davidson (Ally), and her great-grandson, Miles; her stepchildren, Laurence Powers (Liz) and Randi Waxman (Daniel), and their families; and many cherished relatives and dear friends throughout the United States and Russia.She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale D. Powers.Our family extends heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, hospice team, clergy, neighbors, friends, and caregivers whose kindness, compassion, and expertise brought comfort to Lisa and our family. Their care, together with the unwavering love of family, made it possible for her to remain in the comfort of her daughter Natasha and son-in-law Elliot's home, exactly where she wanted to be.The things Lisa made with her hands—and the love with which she made them—will remain with her family for generations.May her memory forever be a blessing.