On Jan. 19, 2021, we bid farewell to one of the world’s great matriarchs, Mabel Owen as a mother to six, grandmother to 14, a great-grandmother to 13, and a great-great-grandmother to one. She also took great pride helping to raise her two nephews and her best friend’s children.
Mabel’s influence and love for her family will be remembered for generations.
Mabel was born May 26, 1931, at home in Montesano to Mabel and Joesph Vukich. She graduated Montesano Junior/Senior High School in 1949 and Dewitt’s Beauty School.
In 1951 she married Albert “Bud” Owen, her high school sweetheart, and they began a 61-year life journey together. Throughout their marriage, they lived in Montesano, Alaska and Snohomish, Washington. During their time in Alaska, Mabel met and carried on lifetime friendships that last to this day. Mabel believed family and good friends were life’s greatest rewards.
Mabel enjoyed any game of chance and frequently played bingo and pinochle, and took many family trips to Reno. Over the years she bowled on many different teams and loved participating or just watching any sport she could.
She was smart and had a competitive spirit. Her grandkids will tell you that if you found yourself winning a game against Grandma Mabel, it was only because she allowed it.
Mabel was eternally proud of her family and would make every effort to attend the hundreds of grandkids’ basketball, soccer and baseball games. In Mabel’s mind, they were all superstars.
Mabel always took care of her family. If you were sick or had surgery or simply felt down, you could always go to Grandma Mabel’s. She would wrap you up in a blanket, feed you and make you feel better just by being there. It made her so happy to care for others.
Mabel was also a mother to many neighborhood kids, friends of her children and grandchildren. Throughout the years there were countless people in Montesano who were loved and cared for in her home. Her door was always open for coffee, cards, snacks or just a good visit.
Her happiest moments were holidays spent with the entire family. During these feasts, generations of Owens and Vukichs would descend on the family home on Beacon Avenue to enjoy her amazing cooking. Mabel would insist that everyone ate a second and third helping, and then also have a generous plate of dessert.
Mable is survived by her brother George; four children: Dianne, Richard, Tom and Linda; nephew Joe, and her 14 grandchildren and their families.
She was preceded in death by her father, mother, husband Bud, daughter Christine, son Dale, and nephew Ed.
We will miss our beloved Mabel, and we will carry on her legacy by taking every opportunity to gather and celebrate as a family.
There will be a celebration of life for Mabel in the future once the restrictions on gathering are lifted. If you would like to be informed of Mabel’s celebration, please email your information to her granddaughter at sjowen24@gmail.com.
Please leave any memories of Mabel at www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com
