Kathleen Marie Owen

Kathleen Marie Owen, "Kay", (Loranger) of Bay City, Michigan, passed away into eternal life on February 3, 2016 at the age of 91. She was the daughter of Arthur and Leona (Petrimoulx) Loranger and was born on February 22, 1924 in Bay City, Michigan. She was married to John Owen on May 4, 1946. Together they raised 4 children, Ronald (Betty) Owen of Auburn; Karol (Larry) Gorske of Linwood; Alan (Jan) Owen of Bay City; and Craig (Kathy Larson) Owen of Colorado and they all survive her.
Kay was brought up in the grocery business as her parents were the owners of 2 locally owned grocery stores in the Banks District. After her marriage to John, they took over the operation of the business on Marquette Avenue under the name of Marquette Market and then Owen's Food Express until its sale in 1968. In the 50's she and her husband built a laundromat across the street from the grocery store where Kay offered laundry and ironing services. Doing laundry was her favorite household chore and she enjoyed providing that service to her customers who needed it. After her retirement she looked forward to meeting her friends at the coffee shop for her morning cup of joe.
She enjoyed spending winters in Florida with John and their weekly happy hour with neighbors. They and their Florida neighbors felt the void when she and John's health forced them to sell their home in Port St. Lucie and return home permanently to Bay City.
She was devoted to her faith and church. In their later years, she and John would attend Mass at Visitation Church on Saturday and then the service on Sunday morning at St. Alban's Episcopal Church where John was a member. They were both strong in their different faiths and respected the faith of each other, thus attending each other's services so that neither of them had to go alone.
She always reminded us that she never got a birthday card in the mail on the actual date of her birthday as she shared her birthday with George Washington which was a Federal holiday and the post office was closed. She was happy when they combined Washington's and Lincoln's birthday (February 12th) into one Federal holiday now known as Presidents' Day and she started getting cards in the mail on her actual birthday.
She was an excellent cook even though it wasn't her favorite thing to do. After her Mother passed away in 1953 she had her Dad over for dinner every night of the week until his passing in 1978. She was a devoted daughter to her Dad. She liked playing cards and getting in the car to go....anywhere at any time. She was an avid reader and a regular patron at the library. She loved listening to music from her era and always had the radio on when she was home.
She was a former member of Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church and a member of Our of Lady of Peace Parish and the Daughters of Isabella. She was also a member of St. Alban's Cloverleaf Club and worked alongside John every Wednesday night at the church bingo for many years. She made many friends during her lifetime and never had an unkind word for anyone.
Kay's family would like to thank all of the excellent caregivers who grew who love her and John as their own family, especially Lois, Sandy, Carla, Cathy, Kiara, Jeannie and Christie. And last but certainly not least her hospice nurse Jennifer who took such good care of our Mom and calmed our fears during her last days. Big hugs to all of you.
She will be greatly missed by her 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren: Andy (Kate) Gorske and Sawyer and Tucker; Peter (Meghan) Gorske and Emmalyn; Matthew (Melissa) Gorske and Madelyn and Leighton; Brian (Erin) Owen and Elizabeth and Abigail; David Owen (Sara) and Lili, Wyatt, Molly and Lulu; and Cristie Owen (Jason) and Sydnie and Samantha.
The Funeral Liturgy will be Celebrated Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Parish - St. Mary's Church (607 E South Union St, Bay City, MI 48706). Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Patrick M. Jankowiak with the Rite of Committal following in Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin, Michigan. The family will be present at the funeral home on Friday to receive visitors from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Vigil for the Deceased will take place Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Owen will be taken to the church on Saturday to lie in state from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial to the Alzheimer's Association or Our Lady of Peace Parish.