Gretchen Owens

AUSTINTOWN - Prayers will begin Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, for Gretchen K. Owens, 99, who died Monday afternoon at Austinwoods Nursing Home.

Gretchen, who was affectionately known as "Mickey," was born Sept. 7, 1916, in Clearfield, Pa., the daughter of Patrick and Beulah (Beauseigneur) Collins.

She was a graduate of St. Frances School and worked as an aide at Mahoning County Home and Sleighbell. Gretchen was a charter member of St. Joseph and St. Christine Church. She was also a member of Farm Bureau Council, AARP, the Alter and Rosary Guild and the Ladies Guild.

Her husband, Donald Owens, whom she married Oct. 13, 1938, died June 12, 1993.

Gretchen is survived by three daughters, Patricia Hoffman of Austintown, Dorothy Donald of Archdale, N.C., and Kathleen Mihaly of Struthers; four sons, Donald Owens of Austintown, Keith (Mary Ann) Owens of Siloam Springs, Alaska, Dale (Colleen) Owens of Dallas, and Edward (Jackie) Owens of Olmsted Falls; sister Margaret Calvanesa of Milford, Del.; two brothers, Ray Collins of Niagara Falls, and Terrance Collins of Florida; 24 grandchildren, JoAnn, James, David, Diane, Douglas, Joseph, James, Christine, Pam, Kathleen, Donald, Robert, Rick, Bradley, Lori, William, Melissa, Megan, Lisa, Linda, Joseph, Casey, Elizabeth and Lauren; over 50 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; daughter Helen Urbach; sons David and Daniel Owens; two sisters, Barbara Butler and Delores Uncles; and five brothers, Gerald, John, Patrick, Joseph and Don Collins.

Family and friends may call Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Austinwoods and Crossroads Hospice for their care and compassion given to Gretchen.

Material tributes may take the form of donations to Crossroads Hospice.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences.