Jean M. (McCormick) Owens

Dorothy Jean McCormick Owens of Hockessin, DE passed away at Christiana Care on Tuesday, October 6, 2015. Born in 1930, Jean was a graduate of Tower Hill School, attended Mount Holyoke College (as a “scholarship girl,” of which she was quite proud), and later completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Delaware. She taught mathematics for many years at A.I. DuPont Middle School until her retirement. 

Jean was predeceased by her beloved husband, George N. Owens III, in 2002; and by her sister, Phyllis McCormick Stacy, in May of this year.  Jean is survived by her seven children and their spouses: George Owens IV (Debra), Karen George, Keith Owens (Mia), Jeffrey Owens (Shirley), Christopher Owens (Betsy), Eric Owens (Janet), and Catherine Kavanagh (Patrick); and by her seventeen grandchildren, (Jennifer, Jessica, Janel, Rebecca, Stefanie, Levi, Jake, Sarah, Amanda, Dan, Carey, Lauren, Erin, Kyle, Shane, Ethan, and Colin) and their spouses; and her eight great-grandchildren. She celebrated her 85th birthday in July with 47 family members in attendance, and we rarely saw her happier than she was that day. She loved her family dearly, and especially, always, the babies!

Jean was an avid reader, knitter, puzzle-solver, and quilter, contributing hundreds of quilts and knitted hats to children and those in need through her involvement with Project Linus. Keen on Delaware history, she took pride in her family’s role in helping to build the state over many generations. In her younger years she was a talented violinist, playing with the Wilmington Symphony as a teenager, and she remained a music lover throughout life. Jean died from complications related to lung cancer, despite never having smoked. She remained as sweet and smart as ever through the final few months of her illness, and we sorely miss her.

Visitation will be held at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Saturday, October 10 from 10:00-10:30AM.  Funeral services will begin at 10:30AM, with interment to follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jean Owens can be made to Project Linus (www.projectlinus.org).

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