Vicki J. Owens

Vicki J. Owens, age 78, passed away peacefully at home in Trenton on April 30. Beloved wife of Walter A. for 56 years. Dear mother of Amy Lester, Beth (Scott) Hinzmann and Katie (Rick) Talbert. Dearest grandmother of Brian and Chloe Lester, Haley, Cole, Abby and Jenna Hinzmann, Sky, Renee, Justine and Emma Talbert. Great-grandmother to Sawyer, Arthur and Loralie. Sister to Marcia (Peter) Elshout. Sister-in-law to John (Debbie) Owens. Preceded in death by her parents, Harriet (Wegner) and Raymond (Skip) Garrison. She was a treasured aunt of Jennifer, Becky, Ben and Emily.

Vicki was born in La Porte, Indiana, on Dec. 20, 1942. Growing up, Vicki loved spending time with her friends, waterskiing, drinking Pepsi and watching Bandstand. An avid writer, she worked on her school paper, as a cub reporter for the La Porte Herald-Argus, and later at times as a freelance reporter for the Detroit News. Vicki graduated from La Porte High School in 1961 before heading to West Lafayette, Indiana, and earning her English Education degree from Purdue. After marrying Walt Owens, they moved to Lincoln Park, Michigan, and Vicki started her teaching career at Schaefer High School in Southgate.

As a busy mom raising three successful women, Vicki made time to serve in leadership roles in many community organizations including Faith United Methodist Church, Metro Detroit Girl Scouts, Political Campaigning and the Anderson Elementary PTA. In 1973, she was named Outstanding Young Woman for the city of Trenton.

Vicki was a lifelong Girl Scout, starting as one herself and later leading troops of all ages as her daughters progressed through the ranks – inspiring many young women with her leadership and songs. After her own girls graduated, Vicki served on the Metropolitan Detroit Girl Scout Council for many years.

Vicki returned to education in 1980, teaching senior citizens seeking high school diplomas at Asher School in Southgate and earned a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. At Asher, she launched an intergenerational education program between the youth and lifelong learners in Southgate. She brought senior citizen students with world experience in wars and immigration into the middle school classroom. Her program was a model throughout the state and she served on the advisory board. She was integral in starting an Intergenerational prom where Asher students of all ages came together to dance the whole night through. She then became an advisor, where she had the ability to mentor students and teachers alike. After retirement, Vicki volunteered for many years at Detroit Metro Airport as an airport ambassador, welcoming visitors from around the world and helping them with their needs.

Vicki loved to travel with Walt, attending Elderhostels and visiting many cities to see the NCAA basketball games. She traveled to Europe, Hawaii and China. She took each of her granddaughters on an Elderhostel when they turned 11, seeing the Grand Canyon, Broadway, Wyoming, Branson, San Diego and Atlanta. She enjoyed playing bridge, being part of up to four clubs at one time and making many close friends along the way.

Vicki was well loved by many, always ready for fun and games. She encouraged shenanigans and was quick to join in the fun. Vicki will be remembered for her loving smile, zest for life, and kind and welcoming spirit.

Services to be arranged through Martenson Funeral Home, Trenton, Michigan. https://www.martenson.com/