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BORN
1926
DIED
2014
Janet Owens Obituary
Janet Parkinson Owens, 88, of Farmington, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 25, 2014. Born February 27, 1926 in Greenville, New Hampshire, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Hazel (Campbell) Parkinson. Janet was a beloved member of the Farmington community. As longtime owner of Millrace Bookstore her passion was to bring joy through the written word. She sponsored countless author parties, poetry readings, children's workshops and book fairs. She was founder of the Farmington River Literary Arts Center and long time member of First Church of Christ, Congregational, Farmington. Janet is survived by her husband, Dr. Guy Owens, daughter Victoria Owens of Farmington, her son Park Owens and his wife of North Barrington, IL and grandson Chad Owens of Newington. Funeral Services will be held Monday (January 5) at 11:00 am in the Meetinghouse of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 75 Main Street, Farmington with Rev. Steven Savides officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 75 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.
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Memories and Condolences
for Janet Owens
Sponsored by the family.
Kathy Taylor Saranchak
February 21, 2016
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Sarah Hincks
January 10, 2015
I have such fond memories of spending hours on the floor of Millrace looking at books with our daughters Morgan and Birch...it was their favorite place to go. Jan was also a great supporter of the Farmington River...selling more of our River Guides than anyone. She was always so anxious to help!
Marjie Detten Heymer
January 5, 2015
My deepest sympathy I'm sending to the Guy Owens Family at this time of your dear loss. What a great example, sweet lady, energetic spirit and kind heart you were blessed with! I looked so forward, as a child, to your family trip to "Rim Ranch at Palo Dura Canyon in Texas each summer. What great memories from "hot dog" cookouts on the edge of the canyon, Guy's "Indian" stories, "4th of July ballets" and "Donkey cart" rides! Amazing great times with your Mom, Vicki and Park, who will be so greatly missed! Love and Prayers to y'all!
Marjie Detten Heymer
January 5, 2015
My deepest sympathy I'm sending to the Guy Owens Family at this time of your dear loss! What a great example, sweet lady, energetic spirit and kind heart you were blessed with. I looked so forward to, as a child, your family trip to Rim Ranch at Palo Dura Canyon every summer. What wonderful memories from "hot dog" roasts on the edge of the canyon, Guy's "Indian" stories and "donkey" cart rides. Amazing, great times with your Mom, Vicki and Park, who will be so greatly missed. Love and Prayers be with ya'll!
Joe Mercaldi
January 5, 2015
I was saddened to hear of Jan's passing on Christmas Day. She was the perfect person we could always go to and who we would know of the perfect gift to give at Christmas.
Marjie Detten Heymer
January 5, 2015
My deepest sympathy I'm sending to the Guy Owens Family at this time of your loss! What a great example, sweet lady, energetic spirit and kind heart you were blessed with in Jan! I looked so forward to your family trip to Rim Ranch, Amarillo Texas every summer. What great memories from "hot dog roasts" on the edge of Palo Dura Canyon, Guys "ghost" stories and "donkey cart" rides! Amazing great times we had with your Mom, Vicki and Park, who will be so greatly missed! Love and Prayers
Tommy Detten
January 5, 2015
I have such fond childhood memories of Guy, Jan, Park, and Vicki at the ranch! What good times we had! Jan was an incredible lady with such a loving spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Owens family during this time of great loss.
Emily Cervone
January 5, 2015
Jan was one of the first booksellers that I got to talk to when I started selling. She was always so lovely and warm, and I'm sad to hear of her passing. Her memory will remain a good one, and the world will miss her.
Mallory Rich
January 5, 2015
This is such sad news. Jan was a wonderful friend to me and my son Steve Inzer for many, many years.
Mallory (Mercaldi) Rich
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Jim Cassidy
January 4, 2015
Rest in peace, Jan. You were the best bookstore owner I could ever want. Thanks for the many pleasant hours spent at the magical Millrace shop. You were always quick with a suggested new read in one of the genres you knew I enjoyed and you were just as quick to make a note of some title I just read that you thought would interest other customers. It was always a pleasure to recommend you and the shop to one of the current readers at Lewis Walpole Library, or to tell friends about the shop. Even after you downsized the shop, you impressed me with your resourcefulness when you opened the Farmington River Literary Arts Center, where I enjoyed several workshops. As another friend observed here, there wasn't a title you were not willing to search for and, in my case, find. Even after you closed the shop on Mill Ln., you would receive orders for me that I would retrieve from you on Main St., but only after enjoying a cup of coffee and some lively conversation. I have missed you lately, but will miss you more now you are enjoying your rest. Someday I trust we will meet again and pick up where we left off. Aufwiedersehen faithful friend.
Sharon Valuckas Woinski
January 2, 2015
Condolences to the Owens family! I remember fondly taking trips with my mother and Aunt to the book shop when I was younger. Mrs. Owens always suggested the most wonderful books! She helped me become a lover of reading! I know she will be missed by many! So glad she enriched my life!!!!
Sharon Valuckas Woinski
Esther Miller
January 2, 2015
I'm very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Owens was such a sweet and kind woman who always treated you like family. My grown children still talk about that special book and teddybear she gave them 20 years ago. She and the family will never be forgotten. We are thankful for many fond memories.
Chris Kerr
December 31, 2014
I had the honor of selling books to Janet in her store, beginning in the early 80's. My last sales call on her was in the late 90s, early new century. As always, she was a model of good cheer, graciousness, deep intelligence and a wide-ranging intellect. She knew exactly what was right for her store and her customers. I always enjoyed visiting the store; it was magical place. She was widely esteemed and many fellow publisher reps and booksellers who had met her have posted on FaceBook about her. She will be remembered fondly as one of the reasons publishing and book selling are honorable, worthy professions. BTW, I married a former customer of hers; when she offered that she knew the store and patronized the store, I knew we were on track.
Susan Wright
December 31, 2014
Condolences to the Owens family on your great loss. Janet was a gracious lady and an astute businesswomen who cared about her customers. Will miss Janet and Millrace...may your many memories console your family at this sad time.
omar.
anne ritchie
December 30, 2014
oh I am so very sad to hear this... I lived in farmington for a few years and rented the back room with the lovely patio off the main house on main street from jan. I loved her. when I moved back to maine and returned to farmington to visit, I always would see her... such a bright light. such an inspirational, beautiful, wonderful and wise woman... jan, I will miss you. anne ritchie.
Irene Engel
December 30, 2014
We go back to 1969 when she was president of the UCHC Auxiliary and we had the pleasure to honor her on our 50th anniversary. I personally have been a long time friend and will miss her deeply. Irene
December 29, 2014
She was such a sweet lady. I always enjoyed talking with her when I brought Chris to see Chad. Janet was so great with the boys. She will be missed! Prayers for her and her family. Judy Murphy
Suzette Ciancio
December 29, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss. I was one of Janet's publisher sales reps for a time. I always enjoyed our visits and conversations. She will be missed.
philip bruno
December 29, 2014
Had real pleasure as a Doubleday sales rep to call on Jan at Millrace for many years. Always a gentle kind soul with wide knowledge of the book world and what her customers would like. My sympathy to her family and community
Nancy Woodwell-Freedman
December 29, 2014
My prayers, thoughts & deepest condolences go out to the family, friends & associates of the wonderful Janet Owens. I spent many happy hours at Millrace, browsing for a good read for myself or a child's book for my daughter and chatting with Janet. I was a loyal patron of her charming shop for all the many years I lived in Farmington and was sorry to hear that Millrace had closed. Janet never failed to special order a book that I wanted and she didn't have on her shelves.And she always came through with beautiful gift wrap paper or a special greeting card, when needed. She truly was a special lady, a credit to her calling and to her community. May her blessed memory be a comfort to her family and may she rest in eternal peace.
December 29, 2014
Please accept my deepest condolences. May your family find comfort during this difficult time (Psalm 23).
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