Vera Elizabeth "Libby" Owens

Vera Elizabeth "Libby" Owens (Elizabeth Ulmer Owens) 12/16/1918 - 7/16/2012 of Tucson, Arizona died in the comfort of her own home at the age of 93. Elizabeth, dearly known to her friends as "Libby," was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina on December 16, 1918. In her long and fruitful life her devoted husband, Dr. John Owens who preceded her in death devoutly loved her and we believe he now holds her in his arms, once again, after almost 50 years of marriage. She had her dream come true with a big family of five children and a large house full of laughter and love. Libby was so proud of her children. She had lost her mother at the tender age of ten, but never was at a loss for showing motherly love as she was one of the most attentive mothers (a Girl Scout Leader, a slew of sports, choir, musicals, musical instruments, ballet, ballroom dancing and horseback riding). She was a true "Southern lady" at heart, devoted to God, full of kind actions towards others, always proper with her etiquette and manners, she decorated for all the holidays and birthdays with gusto and demonstrated unwavering generosity with her time for those in need. She also was a woman who was daringly full of adventure and had a true zest for life. Libby was a very strong and fearless swimmer in the pool and the ocean alike. She would swim out to the furthest buoys in the ocean "for relaxation and peace" she would say. In her younger days she flew airplanes for excitement and was inspired by Emilia Earhart. It was stated in the South Carolina newspapers that Libby was the "first woman pilot to fly solo over South Carolina, before WWII". She was one of few women in her time that had a college degree. Libby was a graduate of the Winthrop University in South Carolina with a BS in Business in 1939. Libby later trained as an assistant to her husband in his oral surgery practice and she also served on the Dental Auxiliary. We were proud of her, as she conducted herself with others always in an ethical, scrupulously honest, moral and modest manner. Libby had a deep passion for volunteer work and was an Emeritus member with Jr. League (she danced in the Follies for many years, as it was a major fund-raiser for the Jr. League). She was one of their very first members of that organization in Tucson, along with her sister, and had served on the Board of Directors. She donated many years during her lifetime to community projects for the under privileged and volunteered time with her beloved church with those in need. Libby and her husband instilled this precious gift of giving back to others, within their children. They felt that it was a necessity in order to reach fulfillment in one's life. For "what you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."---Pericles. Vera Elizabeth Owens is preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Cleveland Ulmer; her husband, Dr. John Owens and her son, Michael Owens. Libby is survived by her children, John Owens, Jr. (wife Jackie Taylor and daughter, Alejandra), Miriam Owens, Judy Owens (Michael's wife and stepson, Steve Ziemann), Thomas Owens (wife Robin Owens, daughter Meagan and sons Jacob and Zachary), Lisa Owens-Sredzinski (husband, Marcus Sredzinski, daughter Sasha and son Stefan). A Celebration of Libby's life will be held at Catalina United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to be made to the Jr. League of Tucson, the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Humane Society of Tucson or to TMC Hospice. Arrangements are by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.