Kiralie A. Power

Kiralie A. Power, 76 of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024. Kira was born on July 7, 1948 in Somerville, New Jersey to Cicely M. Shepherd and Robert W. MacDonald. Kira spoke often about her childhood growing up in Neshanic Station, New Jersey alongside her 5 siblings: Janette, Terry, Robert, Janeen and Russell. Kira reminisced about Girl Scouts with Mrs. Vermeulen, sewing with Mrs. Sicko, choir and bible study at the United Methodist Church, riding her horse Hero, and spending time with her best friends Nancy and Sandy. Kira’s education and speech were hindered by epilepsy, but with the support of her friends, teachers, and parents, she graduated from Somerville High School in 1966 and furthered her education at The duCret School of the Arts. Kira created beautiful things; sketching, painting, photography and sewing brought her great joy. Kira married Bruce C. Goodspeed and they had two children: a son, Myles who died at age 3 and a daughter, Austin. Bruce and Kira divorced, and she and Austin settled in Chandler, Arizona to be closer to her parents and siblings who had moved west. Kira met and married Newman K. Power and they soon welcomed a son, Brice. They moved to Mesa, Arizona where Kira remained for more than 20 years and worked as a childcare provider and hair stylist. In 2002, now single, Kira suffered a stroke. With the support of her family, friends, and neighbors, she mostly recovered and spent her days working at Walmart, visiting her parents, gardening in her backyard and treasure hunting at Goodwill. After suffering a broken hip, Kira was forced to sell her beloved home and move in with her daughter. She was able to see her grandchildren often and was surrounded with family and friends until the day of her passing.

Kira was preceded in death by her son Myles, her parents, her sister Janeen and her brother Robert. She is survived by her daughter Austin (Rex), her son Brice, her sisters Jeanette and Terry, her brother Russell, and her eight grandchildren.

Thank you to all our friends at Fountain Hills Post Acute who cared for Kira around the clock and for the social workers, chaplins, and nurses with Azorna Hopice and Palliative Care who supported Kira and her family during her final weeks.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 6345 S. Lindsay Rd. Chandler, AZ 85249. Her ashes will be buried in Bound Brook, New Jersey at a later date.