Martha Alene Mowrer-Urban

1927 - 2023

Martha Alene Mowrer-Urban, age 96, of Dunnellon, Florida passed away in the early hours on Sunday, September 17, 2023 in Lecanto, Florida.

Martha had a long and full life. Martha was born on September 12, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia to loving parents Emory and Vera Owen. Her father was a traveling salesman and her mom ran a boarding house during the Depression years. Martha had a brother Lloyd Strain Owen, who was 6 years older. Martha Mowrer-Urban was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother during her incredible 96 years of life.

The story goes that Robert Mowrer traveled and took Martha out of Barbizon Modeling School in NYC to elope. They then moved from West Virginia (where they met) to settle down in Lititz, Pa. where their son Robert Terry "Butch" Mowrer and then Bonnie Irene Mowrer, their daughter, were born. The family then moved to Frazer, Pa. where Robert built their home and started a thriving masonry business. Martha became the business bookkeeper and Gal Friday while she kept house, raised kids and worked at various jobs.

Martha's hobbies through the years:

Martha became a skilled seamstress, all self-taught by sewing clothes for the family, from drapes to prom and wedding gowns.

After buying a hundred-year-old farmhouse in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania on 19 acres in the '60s she delved into the history of their home and became a member of the Dark Valley Questers which studies antiques and history. She even wrote a story about her 'Four Pines' Farmhouse.

Computers entered her life with the love of Genealogy. Genealogy became a passion of hers as she researched the Mowrer and the Owen families. She would get so excited to get a chance to walk in a graveyard, go on bus to a historical library, or get letters back from corresponding with long lost relatives. She was also a member of these groups when she moved to Citrus County:

Citrus Springs Library Genealogical Society

Citrus County Genealogy Society in Inverness, Fl.

Citrus County Computer Club

After her first husband died in 1995 her spiritual desires increased and she joined the Meditation Circle for 15 years and New Age Thinkers. Then she found Unity Church of Citrus County where she ushered since 1996, became a bereavement facilitator and wrote a column in their newsletter.

On her spiritual journey she met Macki Ruka who took a small group to Great Britain. She came back to eventually write a book "Journey with Macki Ruka," which is still available on Amazon.

She volunteered at Hospice of Citrus County (now Vitas) for 15 years. Martha facilitated two weekly bereavement "Moving On" groups and helped in the offices as well. This is where she met her second husband Edward Urban who also became a fellow facilitator.

Family will remember Martha for her devotion to her family, our official caregiver, being a confidant to friends, family and strangers. She was always there to help with her grandchildren and deeply regretted not living closer by for great-grandchildren. Martha was very compassionate to others yet passionate about her beliefs. Martha was a strong, determined and fiercely independent woman. We will miss her every day.

Martha is survived by her son Robert Terry Mowrer (Butch); and her daughter Bonnie Irene Mowrer; her grandchildren Stacey Mowrer, Brian Mowrer, and Bradford Mowrer, her great-grandchildren Liam Mosscrop, Logan Mosscrop, Devon Mowrer, Hanna Mowrer, Braden Mowrer, Alexa Mowrer and Brianna Mowrer.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Robert C. Mowrer of 49 years and her husband Edward A. "Coach" Urban for 8 years.

A visitation for Martha will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Fero Funeral Home & Life Celebration Center, 5955 North Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, FL 34465. A funeral service will occur Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 5955 North Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, FL 34465. A committal service will occur Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Fero Memorial Gardens, 5891 North Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, FL 34465.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fero funeralhome.com for the Mowrer-Urban family.