Dorothy Owens passed away peacefully Jan. 12, 2021, at Arbor Terrace, Shrewsbury. She was 89. Dorothy was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Dorothy was the oldest of seven children. She was always by her siblings’ side, watching over them and tenderly caring for and protecting them. After raising her own three children she went back to school at age 45. She was determined to become a social worker. Her passion in life was always to advocate for the wellbeing of children and families. She received her Master of Social Work, Associate Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker degrees from Rutgers University.
Dorothy last worked as a Family Advocacy Specialist Clinical Counselor at Naval Weapons Station Earle. Prior to that she worked as a psychotherapist for the Union County Schools Board of Education. She also worked for six years at the Superior Court of New Jersey, County of Passaic Chancery Division, Family Crisis Intervention Unit as the senior family counselor. She advocated for her clients in court and in the community so they received the essential services they needed. So many families’ lives were improved due to her true grit and compassion for others.
When Dorothy wasn’t hard at work advocating for others, she was busy hosting family gatherings at her home, always believing in keeping her extended family close together and having fun. She and her husband Frank traveled extensively and especially loved going on cruises. They were married for 67 years before Frank passed away two years ago this February. Frank always referred to her as his “beautiful bride.”
Her exquisite beauty, sparkling blue eyes and heartwarming smile will be remembered by all who knew her. Her creative ability to tell her children and grandchildren original bedtime stories still lives on today.
She is survived by her daughter Deborah Siebelist and husband Ken of Rumson; her son Bernard of Miami, Florida; her daughter-in-law Gail of Vista, California; four grandchildren, Tara, Kyle, Stefanie and Erik; and two great-grandchildren Bodin and Wyatt.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Frank Owens, her son Christopher Owens and her daughter-in-law Susan Felice Owens.
Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to 180 Turning Lives Around at 180NJ.org or The Parker Family Health Center at parkerfamilyhealthcenter.org. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the January 28 – February 3, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
