Mary Carolyn White Owen died at Froedtert Hospital on Wednesday, December 27th. She was born in Miami, Oklahoma on March 31st, 1937, and grew up in Oklahoma and Lincoln, Nebraska. She graduated from College View High School in 1955. After high school she attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she obtained a nursing degree.

After college, Mary put her nursing degree to use as a lieutenant in the US Army. While serving as the chief nurse of a medical dispensary in Hohenfels, Germany she met her husband of 52 years, Dr. Nicholas Owen. After completing her service in the army, she returned with her husband to his home town of Milwaukee, where she pursued a career in nursing, nursing administration, and home health care while also raising four children.

Mary was a long-time member of the Steering Committee of the College Endowment Association and the American Association of University Women. She was also an avid traveler and tennis player, and a supporter of the arts in Milwaukee. Mary loved to cook, garden, read, and spend time outdoors. She was a wonderful mother to her four children and doted on her seven grandchildren. She was an inveterate organizer and maintained life-long friendships with her breakfast group, tennis group, and book club.

Mary is survived by her brother James White, sons Karl (Alice Mendelsohn) and Erik (Laura), and daughters Kara (Brian) Taff, and Margo (Steven) Brooks as well as seven grandchildren and many relatives and friends.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, January 27th from 2 pm – 5 pm at the Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations in Mary’s name may be made to: The College Endowment Association, P.O. Box 1533, Brookfield, WI 53008-1533 or The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 19805 W Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI 53045, or the AAUW West Suburban Wisconsin, c/o Susan Kurtz, 695 N. Brookfield Road, #229, Brookfield, WI  53045.

Mary will be remembered as a beloved mother, devoted grandmother, and steadfast friend.

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