Mary Owens

1929 - 2025

Mary Owens, age 95, of Miles City passed away Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Cottonwood Care Home. She spent 2 1/2 years there, and was a beloved resident, kind and gentle to all.

Mary was born on December 6, 1929, in Miles City, the daughter of Nicholas and Florence Gaglia. The Gaglias were a large Italian family, often attending gatherings with other Italian families in the neighborhood. Mary and her sister, Mollie, were identical twins and the youngest in their family. They had four siblings - one brother and three sisters. Mary attended Sacred Heart school in Miles City. She participated in sports during her school years, including basketball. She had an active social life and remained close with many school friends over the years. As a young adult, Mary worked at Holy Rosary Hospital.

Mary and John were married on October 25, 1948, at Sacred Heart Church in Miles City. They moved to Glendive with John's work until 1958, when they returned to Miles City. Mary was an invaluable asset to John with his business, Parts Unlimited, assisting with bookkeeping and other aspects of the operation. Mary and John had five daughters - Kathy, Debbie, Joleen, Carol, and Lori. She loved her role as a full-time mother and grandmother and was consistently active in their lives.

Throughout much of their married life, Mary and John enjoyed traveling around the United States, often with family. A highlight was the many get-togethers and holiday celebrations with family and extended relatives.

Mary was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Church, volunteering for various activities over the years. For example, she participated in the telephone prayer chain and frequently assisted with preparing weekly bulletins. She enjoyed socializing with friends and acquaintances, playing cards and Bunco. Mary learned to cook and bake from her mother, who came to the United States from Italy. The first ingredient of all her recipes was love. She passed down many traditional family recipes to her children and grandchildren. Mary was also an avid reader who frequented the local public library, trading in last week's books for the next week. Many friends and family were lucky to receive her hand embroidered dish towels or pillowcases. Mary was the life of the party and had a sense of humor that was second to none.

When John became sick with successive illnesses, Mary became his primary caregiver until his death in 1994. She forged an exemplary, vibrant life for the next 30 years, staying active with various volunteer work and serving as the matriarch to the extended Owens family.

Mary is survived by five daughters Kathy (Don) Bockness, Debbie (Phil) Rambur, Joleen (Bob) Edwards, Carol Bartholomew, and Lori (Dan) Burley. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Jodi (Brady) Stone, Stacey (Steve) Curry, Jamie Bockness (Patrick Allen), John Rambur, Angela (Jono) Verticchio, Bethany Edwards, Brooke Bartholomew, Brittany (Clint) Cecil, Megan Bartholomew, and Danni Jo Burley. Eleven great grandchildren, Abby Stone, Maggie Stone (Apaullo Kiyukan), Macey (Taylor) Spiegelberg, Connor Curry (Franny Mullen), Xander Curry (Jordan Wieck), Bennett Curry, Jace Verticchio, Arlee Verticchio, Kenzie Bartholomew, Torrin Cecil, and Lachlan Cecil. Two great-great grandchildren Cora Spiegelberg and Tatum Spiegelberg.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband John, siblings and their spouses Julie (Gus) Pavelis, Anne (Jim) St. Peter, Stella (Vic) Bradley, Tony (Rita) Gaglia, and Mollie (George) Wald, 4 brother-in-laws, and 2 sister-in-laws.

Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Cottonwood Care Home in Miles City. Mary Owens