Barbara Owens

Barbara Owens - daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away on September 20th, 2022. Mrs. Owens was born on December 17th, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY, to David Grosso and Bertha Burawa. Early on the Grosso family lived in Queens, NY before moving to Plainview, Long Island, New York. She graduated from Plainview High School. She graduated with a Bachelors in English and a Graduate Degree in Education from Queens College in New York. Barbara taught senior history at Herricks High School in Long Island in the 1960s before starting a family with her husband Steven Owens. Barbara married Steven on July 24, 1966 and in 1968 the couple moved to Rockville, MD where they birthed their first son, David. The family of three moved to Minnetonka, MN in 1973 where their first daughter, Carolyn and second son, Neil were born. In 1978 the family of five moved to Naperville, IL where they had their fourth child, Diana. The Farmstead community in Naperville meant so much to her, and many of her dearest friendships were developed. In 1987, the family moved to Kinnelon, NJ where they have resided the past 35 years. They wintered in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. As her kids got older, she began working part-time at the Kinnelon Public Library. Being a lifelong learner, she attended Rutgers University and earned a Masters of Library Sciences. Barbara was devoted to the library and her role as Director. She retired from the position in2013. She joined or led a book club in every community she lived in, most recently in the Boardwalk Caper community in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Barbara had many interests, such as gardening, conversation, camping and traveling, especially river cruising. She was a dedicated mother and was very involved in various community organizations including being one of the founding trustees of the Kinnelon Education Foundationand as a catechist at Our Lady of the Magnificat parish. Through the 56 years together, Steve and Barbara found a wonderful community of close friends in the many towns they lived, where they grew their love and their family. Barbaras devotion to family, friends, and community was evident to all that knew her. Barbara is survived by her husband Steven Owens; her children David and his wife Beth Ann, Carolyn, Neil and his wife Denise, and Diana; her brother Robert Grosso and his wife Susan; and her ten grandchildren James (24), Hannah (22), Amaia (21), Gabriella (17), Madalyn (17), Louis(15), Waverly (12), Reese (9), Emil (9) and Malcolm (2). Barbara is predeceased by her son in law, Ken Steif. She is also survived by countless nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed. The Family will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Barbara on Friday, September 23rd at the Smoke Rise Inn from 1 - 4 pm. All friends and family are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Friends of the Kinnelon Public Library 132 Kinnelon Road Kinnelon, NJ 07405, please make checks payable to "The Friends of the Kinnelon Library" . Celebration of Life Friday, September 23, 2022 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM The Smoke Rise Village Inn 9 Perimeter RdKinnelon, NJ 07405 Directions Email Details