Barbara Louise Owens

Barbara Louise Owens, age 64, passed away due to heart failure on Friday, September 21, 2012 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Montana. She was born April 24, 1947 in Tampa, Florida. She lived both her childhood (as a U.S. Air Force dependent) and young adulthood in Dayton, Ohio.

Barb and her son Larry, born October 11, 1974, moved from Dayton, Ohio to the Bitterroot Valley in 1980. She remained here, appreciating and loving Western Montana for the rest of her life.

In Ohio, Barb worked for several businesses as a bookkeeper, accountant, and office manager. She achieved a wide experience in occupations after moving to the Bitterroot Valley. She enjoyed working as a home health care provider for several agencies, creating and cherishing many strong and loving friendships. She was employed by several day cares over many years, eventually owning her own child care business for five years. For a short period she worked for the Hamilton and Victor School Districts as a special education assistant for physically and developmentally disabled students. In 1994 she completed a six-months training program for Habilitation Aide H., receiving a certification in the Mandt System, Seizure Disorders, and Medication Certification, and Medic First Aid (CPR inclusive). She worked for various organizations in the valley caring for elderly and developmentally disabled clients. She volunteered for S.A.F.E. as a Crisis Group Facilitator and phone line crisis volunteer for over two years. She was employed for four years as an office assistant for her sister and brother's-in-law business, Professional Impressions.

She is survived by her son, Lawrence F. Owens, who lived here in the Bitterroot from age 6 to 19, and now resides in Dayton, Ohio. Seven of her siblings survive: Ruth Meyers and Victor of Dallas, Texas; Joan Cornett and Jerry of Centerville, Ohio; Mary Baecht and Lawrence, south of Conner, Montana; Scott Owens and Jenna of Minneapolis, Minnesota; John Owens and Janet of Beavercreek, Ohio; Jane Moon and Mark of Bellbrook, Ohio; and James Owens and Esther of Dayton, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her father, Herbert John Owens III, her mother Mardelle Derry Owens, both from Dayton, Ohio; and her brother Jonathan Owens of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Also surviving are countless nieces and nephews, three of whom, Jennifer, Maren, and Jason Owens, born and raised in the Bitterroot, lovingly thought of Barb as their second mother and whose children, Nicolas Owens, Alia Owens, and Piper and Parker Owens-Cooksey she lovingly cherished.

Barb had many endearing friendships in the Bitterroot which meant so very much to her. Shannon Rogers was like a daughter to her, along with Shannon's family, Cory Tiller and Donald Casterline, who she called her "faithful maintenance helpers." Barb affectionately referred to herself and the friends she made at Curves, Julie Adair and Jean Kyle, as "The Three Musketeers." She was very close to her next-door neighbors, Georgina Aldaz, Caesario Garcia, and Brian Amezcua.

Barb was always an upbeat, positive, loving, giving, and spiritual person with strong desire to ponder the many different questions and aspects of our lives. She had a quick wit with a hilarious and quirky sense of humor. One of her favorite pastimes was camping, and she enjoyed all aspects of the out-of-doors. She was an avid member of Curves Health Club and Fitness Center, proudly attaining her "600" T-shirt this year at the end of March, and was working diligently toward her "700" T-shirt. She loved children and was a gracious and supportive friend and mentor to many. Barb was the consummate animal lover, having adopted and given a loving, doting home to so very many animals over the years, most recently, her beloved cat George who she often comically said, thought he was a human.

A memorial service will be held at Daly-Leach Chapel, Hamilton, Montana, Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following for family and friends.