Mary Frances Owen

1923 - 2017

BORN

1923

DIED

2017

Mary Owen Obituary

Mary Frances (Dawson) Owen

Redding, CA

1923 - 2017

The world became a slightly less serendipitous place with the passing of Mary Frances (Dawson) Owen on December 13, 2017, in Redding, California. She was unconventional, unexpected, curious, and audacious. Her philosophy was, "Jump in with both feet and never look back." In her 94 years, she changed the lives of innumerable people who still articulate their forever gratefulness.

She taught school for 5 decades, instilling skills and confidence into her students by teaching them not only academics, but often woodworking, cooking and camping. Mary orchestrated legendary, authentic Thanksgiving feasts and activities in schools where she taught in San Bernardino and Shasta Counties. Over the years she handmade thousands of holiday-specific wooden animals and objects for children to paint. But larger than her passion for wood working, baking, and gardening, her legacy will always be her all-encompassing joy in helping everyone, young and old, often by teaching, always by doing.

Mary was born in Los Angeles, California, June 30, 1923. She married Albert Owen in 1943 who preceded her in death in 2012. Survivors include her sons Ken Owen, Brent Owen, and Robert Rock; grandchildren Daylon Owen, Denine Owen, Lauren Covington, Courtney Owen, and Vanessa Rock; plus 6 great-grandchildren.

Mary was a member of the Neptune Society; there will be no services.

Please sign the guest book at

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/redding/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Redding Record Searchlight on Dec. 19, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Owen

7 Entries

Harriet Bailey

February 13, 2018

My family has lost a very special lady. She will always be in my memory.
Ken, Brent and Bob was lucky to have you for their mother. My prayers are with you and your families

L P

January 2, 2018

To live a full life and find enjoyment for your hard work in assisting others is truly a reward (Ecclesiastes 3:12,13). To family and friends, may you find comfort in your memories.

Connie Koch

December 21, 2017

For 3 short but very memorable months, I had the honor and pleasure of providing care for this remarkable woman. I will miss her sense of humor, her loving and caring words and her zest for life. We had some great conversations about her travels and adventures, her children, the children she fostered and the children she taught.

She was without a doubt a one in million inspiration and example for all to look up to and strive to be more like her. I wish I had known her longer!

My sincerest condolences to her family and friends! May you find comfort and peace during this loss of such a truly special woman!

Rest in peace sweet Mary!

Colleen Lytle

December 20, 2017

Mary was the most remarkable woman I have ever met. She touched so many lives. The word "can't" was never in her vocabulary. I was lucky enough to meet Mary when I taught at Toyon School. She was always doing something special for the students. Her wood projects were unbelievable. Mary would cut wooden projects for the the children to assemble and paint. I have no doubt that these are still treasured by the students and their families. She would also bring her tools into the classroom and let the children work at cutting, measuring, sanding and assembling their own projects. She was never afraid to try anything. I can remember students who may have had a hard time academically but were able to shine when it came to working on these projects. It gave them such a feeling of success. And Mary seemed to have a special connection with those who struggled in one way or another.
I am still receiving feedback from former students who talk about the wonderful Thanksgiving experience she provided. I can't begin to describe what an awesome experience that was. She made pilgrim costumes for all of them, and made wooden muskets and dolls for them to complete. Mary gave the children a choice of whether they wanted a musket or doll. She did not assume that all girls preferred dolls over muskets. She made a life-sized bear out of plywood which the children could hunt as part of their experience. The feast consisted of venison pottage, smoked salmon, roast bear, elk meatballs with wild rice, roast duck, squash, cranberries, dried apples, nuts, cornbread, maple syrup, butter and pumpkin pie. Aside from the meats, the children helped prepare everything over a period of days. They also learned how to make rope out of twine. She was even able to convince the administration to let her build a fire for the children to sit around (and later roast marshmallows over). I can't believe that any children have ever had such a remarkable Thanksgiving experience like Mary provided.
She loved to challenge the children with puzzles of one sort or another and would never just give them answers, but would challenge them through her questioning to find the answers themselves. Although she was not big on following a teacher's lesson plans when she would substitute, there is no doubt that the children learned more in a day with her than they would have if she had followed the teacher's plans!
I am deeply saddened by her death, but know that her legacy goes on through the many people she has inspired throughout her life.

Will Johnston

December 19, 2017

Mary Owen was one of kind. I remember many great times with Mary, but would like to share two stories.
Some 35 yrs ago, I was in the Owen's kitchen and Mary overheard me say that I couldn't do something. Mary turned to me and said, "Billy Johnston, if I gave you $100, could you do it?" I stopped in my tracks and looked at her and said, "yeah, I could" and she said, "ok, then the next time, before you say you can't do something, I want you to think of that". I never forgot it!!
Mary had a way of making you think, challenging you with questions, and helping you find answer on your own.

The other story was when I left for my 2nd year of college, I needed a bed. Having no $$, I decided to build a bed and just buy a mattress. Mary offered to help me and invited me over to her house to build the bed. We drew up plan and spent all day building the wooden bed. This wasn't just build a basic bed... she helped me come up with a design that could be easily taken apart and put back together ... making it easy to move...we spent all day cutting, sanding and staining the bed... and returned the following day for a final coat and we were done.... little did she know that 4 yrs later I would be packing that same bed into a Honda Prelude and driving across the country for another 4 yrs of use in New York and then back in the car and back to California for another 6 yrs of use (it actually could fit into the car)...she was great at thinking through every detail and all aspects of everything she did and it was tough to not learn so many life lessons by just being with her... not to mention, how many grandmas help build beds!
I'll close with a final life lesson she taught me, "if you're going to do something, you might as well do it right the first time"
Mary did it right all her life and will be greatly missed.
Will Johnston

December 19, 2017

So sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many individuals who truly care about you. May the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant you peace. (Psalms 94:19),So sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many individuals who truly care about you. May the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant you peace. (Psalms 94:19)

joyce ide

December 19, 2017

Mary you were an inspiration to all you met. I will never forget all the fun times we had at Toyon School. I still have all the wooden things you showed and helped the kids make. The world has lost a real treasure but Heaven has gained one. RIP Mary.

Joyce Ide
Shasta Lake

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results