Barbara T. Owen

Barbara T. Owen Naples, FL

Beloved mother, grandmother, friend and civicmindedindividual

Barbara T. Owen, 95, late of Naples, FL, died in her sleep/surrounded by family, on Sunday, December 19, 2010.

She was the wife of the late John W. "Buck" Owen, executive officer of the Moss Construction & Marine Company.

Born in Melrose, MA, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Lee Tash and the late Marion Frances (Cornwall) Tash. Mrs. Owen formerly resided in Swansea Village and Fall River until moving to Naples, FL in 1995. She also maintained a summer residence in Westport Harbor until several years ago.

An independent lady to the last, she graduated from Melrose High School in 1932 and received her Bachelor's Degree from Bouve-Boston School of Physical Education (now an affiliate of Northeastern University) in 1935. From 1935 to 1937 Mrs. Owen taught at Saint Mary's School and Junior College in Raleigh, NC and from 1937 to 1938 in Public Schools in Brookline, MA. She was the Chairwoman of the Swansea Alarm Center during World War II.

Mrs. Owen moved to Fall River in 1944 and returned to work after her four children were grown. She was employed as a Physical and Health Education Teacher at the Fall River Girls Diman Vocational High School from 1966 to 1978 and at B.M.C. Durfee High School from 1978 to 1979. She also served as a girls basketball referee for many years and was a member of the Fall River Educators Association; the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Educators Association prior to her retirement in 1979.

She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Swansea and a former member of the Church of the Ascension (now Church of the Holy Spirit) in Fall River, and attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Naples.

Mrs. Owen was active in many volunteer organizations in Fall River acting as United Way Fund CoChairman, Secretary of the Community Arts Council, President of the Westall School P.T.A., President of the Truesdale Hospital Women's Board, President of the Women's Union, and President of the Junior League (for whom she attended national conferences in Coronado, CA, Sun Valley, ID and Houston, TX). She was also the Agency Representative for the Girl Scout Council and chairwoman of the Girl Scout Camp Committee where she was responsible for the construction of many buildings at Camp Tattapanum in Dighton.

Other past memberships or board associations include: the Stevens Childrens Home in Swansea, the Fall River Home for the Aged, the Quequechan Club, the Marine Museum, Fall River Historical Society, the Fortnightly Club, the Childrens Home of Fall River, the Family Services Association of Fall River, the Lloyd Center in Dartmouth and the Westport River Watershed Alliance.

An accomplished pianist, she enjoyed music, was an avid card player and golfer, "shooting her age" at 87 years old. She won the Acoaxet Club Championship and President's Cup several times prior to her election as the first woman president of that Club. She was active in the Women's Golf Association, served on the Acoaxet Club's Board of Governors and belonged to the Royal Palm Country Club in Naples. She was also a lifelong member of the Elephant Rock Beach Club and an avid Red Sox fan.

Survivors include her children, John Friar II and his wife, Kathleen of Fall River; Janet L. Friar of Sydney, Australia; Peter T. Friar and his wife, Susan of Westport Point; Donald S. Friar, Esq. and his wife, Joanne, of Somerset; stepdaughters, Gail Conroy and her husband, Henry of Quincy, MA, and Jill Owen of East Providence, RI. In addition, Mrs. Owen had 12 grandchildren (one who predeceased her); 11 greatgrandchildren; a niece and nephew; and several grand nieces and grand nephews. She was the sister of the late Frances M. Tanner of Melrose, MA.

A Service in Celebration of her Life to which relatives and friends are invited will be held Monday, December 27, 2010 at 11:00 am in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street. Family will receive guests from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., prior to her service.

Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River.

Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Stevens Children's Home, 24 Main Street, Swansea, MA, 02777 or Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane Naples, FL 34105-3847 (Attn: Karen Rollins)

For online registration and directions visit www.waring-sullivan.com