Obituary for Mabel Madelain Owen (Vukich)
On January 19, 2021 we bid farewell to one of the world’s
great matriarchs, Mabel Owen. As a mother to 6,
grandmother to 14, a great-grandmother to 13, and a greatgreat-grandmother to one. She also took great pride helping
to raise her 2 nephews and her best friend’s children.
Mabel’s influence and love for her family will be remembered
for generations.
Mabel was born May 26th, 1931 at home in Montesano to
Mabel & Joesph Vukich. She graduated Montesano Jr/Sr
Highschool in 1949 and Dewitt’s Beauty School. In 1951 she
married Albert “Bud” Owen, her high school sweetheart, and
they began a 61-year life journey together. Throughout their
marriage, they lived in Montesano, Alaska, and Snohomish
WA. During their time in Alaska, Mabel met and carried on
lifetime friendships that last to this day. Mabel believed family
and good friends were life’s greatest rewards.
Mabel enjoyed any game of chance, and frequently played bingo, pinochle, and took many
family trips to Reno. Over the years she bowled on many different teams and loved
participating or just watching any sport she could. She was smart and had a competitive
spirit. Her grandkids will tell you that if you found yourself winning a game against Grandma
Mabel, it was only because she allowed it. Mabel was eternally proud of her family and would
make every effort to attend the hundreds of grandkids’ basketball, soccer, and baseball
games. In Mabel’s mind, they were all superstars.
Mabel always took care of her family. If you were sick or had surgery or simply felt down; you
could always go to Grandma Mabel’s. She would wrap you up in a blanket, feed you, and make
you feel better just by being there. It made her so happy to care for others. Mabel was also a
mother to many neighborhood kids, friends of her children, and grandchildren. Throughout the
years there were countless people in Montesano who were loved and cared for in her
home. Her door was always open for coffee, cards, snacks, or just a good visit.
Her happiest moments were holidays spent with the entire family. During these feasts,
generations of Owens and Vukichs would descend on the family home on Beacon Avenue to
enjoy her amazing cooking. Mabel would insist that everyone ate a second and third helping,
and then also have a generous plate of dessert.
Mable is survived by her brother George, 4 children-Dianne, Richard, Tom, and Linda, nephew
Joe, and her 14 grandchildren and their families. She was preceded in death by her father,
mother, husband Bud, daughter Christine, son Dale, and nephew Ed.
We will miss our beloved Mabel, and we will carry on her legacy by taking every opportunity to
gather and celebrate as a family.
There will be a celebration of life for Mabel in the future once the restrictions on gathering are
lifted. If you would like to be informed of Mabel’s celebration, please email your information to
her granddaughter at sjowen24@gmail.com.
great matriarchs, Mabel Owen. As a mother to 6,
grandmother to 14, a great-grandmother to 13, and a greatgreat-grandmother to one. She also took great pride helping
to raise her 2 nephews and her best friend’s children.
Mabel’s influence and love for her family will be remembered
for generations.
Mabel was born May 26th, 1931 at home in Montesano to
Mabel & Joesph Vukich. She graduated Montesano Jr/Sr
Highschool in 1949 and Dewitt’s Beauty School. In 1951 she
married Albert “Bud” Owen, her high school sweetheart, and
they began a 61-year life journey together. Throughout their
marriage, they lived in Montesano, Alaska, and Snohomish
WA. During their time in Alaska, Mabel met and carried on
lifetime friendships that last to this day. Mabel believed family
and good friends were life’s greatest rewards.
Mabel enjoyed any game of chance, and frequently played bingo, pinochle, and took many
family trips to Reno. Over the years she bowled on many different teams and loved
participating or just watching any sport she could. She was smart and had a competitive
spirit. Her grandkids will tell you that if you found yourself winning a game against Grandma
Mabel, it was only because she allowed it. Mabel was eternally proud of her family and would
make every effort to attend the hundreds of grandkids’ basketball, soccer, and baseball
games. In Mabel’s mind, they were all superstars.
Mabel always took care of her family. If you were sick or had surgery or simply felt down; you
could always go to Grandma Mabel’s. She would wrap you up in a blanket, feed you, and make
you feel better just by being there. It made her so happy to care for others. Mabel was also a
mother to many neighborhood kids, friends of her children, and grandchildren. Throughout the
years there were countless people in Montesano who were loved and cared for in her
home. Her door was always open for coffee, cards, snacks, or just a good visit.
Her happiest moments were holidays spent with the entire family. During these feasts,
generations of Owens and Vukichs would descend on the family home on Beacon Avenue to
enjoy her amazing cooking. Mabel would insist that everyone ate a second and third helping,
and then also have a generous plate of dessert.
Mable is survived by her brother George, 4 children-Dianne, Richard, Tom, and Linda, nephew
Joe, and her 14 grandchildren and their families. She was preceded in death by her father,
mother, husband Bud, daughter Christine, son Dale, and nephew Ed.
We will miss our beloved Mabel, and we will carry on her legacy by taking every opportunity to
gather and celebrate as a family.
There will be a celebration of life for Mabel in the future once the restrictions on gathering are
lifted. If you would like to be informed of Mabel’s celebration, please email your information to
her granddaughter at sjowen24@gmail.com.