Obituary of M. Sara G. Owens

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of our mother, Sara Owens, on Monday, January 9, 2017 at York Care Centre, Fredericton, NB. She was born April 28, 1928 in Shemogue, Westmorland County, NB, the 5th daughter of the late Laurent and Ada (Ouellette) Brun and the last surviving member of her immediate family. Mom came to Saint John at the age of 16 and resided there for over 52 years. She married Frederick Mabee in 1947 and was a homemaker while we were young. When she was widowed in 1960, she provided child care for some of the children in the neighbourhood until she remarried four years later to William Owens. After we all became adults Mom returned to school and received her GED and then trained as a home health aide, providing comfort and support to individuals and their families. Later she received specialized training to support individuals dealing with Alzheimer disease. She was a fantastic cook, an accomplished seamstress and an avid gardener growing flowers and plants indoors and out. She was a member of the Saint John Chapter of the I.O.D.E. for several years. Sara is survived by her children: Mary Lou Arseneault (Joseph) of Fredericton and her children, Jazeb (Tracy Harvey), Jonas and Jessi Jones; Georgina Atkinson (Peter) of Fredericton and their children, Zachary (Röxana) and Jennifer Atkinson (Steven Coyle); Frederick Owens (Valerie), Moncton and their children Joshua and Lucas Owens and Matthew and Kyle Hargreaves; Christopher Owens (Gayle) and their daughter, Emileigh, Quispamsis. She was great-grandmother to Kale and Hayden Harvey-Jones, Elijah Clements, Miaka and Jaylynn Kenny, and Claudia Atkinson. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. Sara was predeceased by her parents, her first husband Frederick T. Mabee, her brothers Abel, John, Laurent and Charles, and her sisters Matilda, Alida, Sophia and Dena, as well as her niece Diane Taylor, her infant grandson Colin Owens, and the father of Christopher – William D. Owens. Our family wishes to thank the wonderful staff York Care Centre, for their loving care and generous support of our mother during the latter years of her life Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424). A celebration of Sara’s life will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 12:00 pm from Brenan’s Funeral Home Chapel with visitation from 11:00 until the time of the service. Interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the York Care Foundation, Alzheimer Society of NB or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated.