Nov. 29, 1929 — Sept. 15, 2023
At 93 years old, Marcella Louise (Ellis) Owens peacefully passed away in Medford on Friday, Sept. 15, as a result of Alzheimer’s disease.
Marcella was born to Alvin and Thelma (Cummins) Ellis, along with her twin brother Edward, in Tucson, Arizona. Both Alvin and Thelma were principals or schoolteachers and Marcella followed in their footsteps after graduating from the University of Arizona. She married George Owens, whom she met at the university, in 1951. They and their growing family moved around the country with George’s career in the nuclear sciences industry, living in California, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Idaho, Washington and even Canada. George and Marcella retired to Ashland, where they lived for 33 years.
Although Marcella’s “work life” was primarily as a homemaker, in early adulthood she intermittently taught full time or substituted in public schools. Decades later, she taught English as a second language at a community college.
Marcella appreciated aesthetics and art, which influenced many of her hobbies. She maintained a well-landscaped garden, providing habitat and food offerings for the birds she and George enjoyed watching. Marcella took pride in decorating her home with unique furniture discovered while antiquing. She also had her favorite collections of Indigenous American art, antique mirrors and souvenir spoons. Marcella dabbled in photography and photo processing — skills that came in handy during their retirement travels. Her and George’s travels included sailing in the San Juan Islands, educational river boat tours and trips to Mexico, Ireland, Spain, and Italy. She volunteered at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Tudor Guild, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, the Britt Festival and SMART Reading program. Her family and friends will miss her at the Scrabble table.
Marcella was preceded in death by her husband George, eldest son Stuart and brother Edward. She is survived by her son Kirk Owens (Susan Conner) and daughter Lyn Owens, as well as her grandchildren Lauren Owens (Evan Valentine), Ali Owens (Ben Henley), Derek Owens-Oas, and Lee Owens-Oas.
Her family is grateful to Ashland Hospice for their care of Marcella in her final months. Many kind and patient caregivers at Weatherly Court and the Springs at Anna Maria offered invaluable support to Marcella and her family in recent years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund or Dogs for Better Lives. A private memorial event will be shared by the family.
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