Barb,
Thanks for keeping us all connected.
I was in Lubbock last week for my mother's 100th birthday. There was a nice article about her in the Lubbock paper
on February 28th. We had a reception for her at the Lubbock Womens Club. Angie LoCasio,from our class was there,
as well Minnie Tate,Denny Hart, from class of 63 and several other classmates of my sister Mary ('class of 63) and
brothers, Sam (''67),Steve (71).
I am so fortunate to have Mother, who
still enjoys life, lives at home and is active and healthy at 100 years of age. Willard Scott will wish her
a happy 100th tomorrow on the today show tomorrow. Her name is Elizabeth (Big Red) Owen, in case you are watching.
Thanks again for the updates.
Karen Owen Moroney
Here
is what was written in the paper.
After a century of living, Owen stays busy with work on audio book
100Years of Memories
BY ERICA HOFF
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
100Years of Memories
BY ERICA HOFF
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Last year was good for Elizabeth Lupton Owen. Her book, "Rolling Echoes," was published
in June. Not bad for a 99-year-old.
She turns 100 today, and
this year is proving to be just as productive. She's working on an audio book of her memoirs.
She
learned to type and published her mother's writings and diaries.
As a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, she proudly says she was the first child baptized in Lubbock County.
In her lifetime, she has spent thousands of hours volunteering at St. Mary's
Hospital, now Covenant Medical Center-Lakeside.
At the age of 93, Owen undertook the task of learning e-mail in order to keep
in touch with her 36 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
Although she is computer savvy now, daughter Gail Owen Freeman pointed out that Owen still sends
out traditional mail as well. Owen, known to many as "Big Red"
because of her eye-catching hair, was born in the heart of Lubbock on Feb. 28, 1907, to West Texas pioneers who took her to
her first home on the corner of Texas Avenue and Main Street.
In 1924, she began her teaching career and lived in various places throughout
New Mexico and Texas before returning to Lubbock in 1953 with her husband, Lewis Owen, and their 10 children.
She still resides
in the home they bought in 1955 and continued teaching after the death of her husband in 1959. She retired in 1977 but continued
to share her love of knowledge with students as a tutor.
Owen, known to many as "Big Red" because of her
eye-catching hair, was born in the heart of Lubbock on Feb. 28, 1907, to West Texas pioneers who took her to her first home
on the corner of Texas Avenue and Main Street.
In 1924, she began her teaching career and lived in various places throughout
New Mexico and Texas before returning to Lubbock in 1953 with her husband, Lewis Owen, and their 10 children.
She still resides
in the home they bought in 1955 and continued teaching after the death of her husband in 1959. She retired in 1977 but continued
to share her love of knowledge with students as a tutor.
Owen, known to many as "Big Red" because of her eye-catching
hair, was born in the heart of Lubbock on Feb. 28, 1907, to West Texas pioneers who took her to her first home on the corner
of Texas Avenue and Main Street.
In 1924, she began her teaching career and lived in various places throughout New Mexico and Texas
before returning to Lubbock in 1953 with her husband, Lewis Owen, and their 10 children.
She still resides in the home they bought
in 1955 and continued teaching after the death of her husband in 1959. She retired in 1977 but continued to share her love
of knowledge with students as a tutor.
"She has a list of all her grandchildren, great- and great-great grandchildren,
and she still sends everyone a $5 bill and a birthday card on their birthday," Freeman said. "She never forgets
anyone's birthday."
Elizabeth Lupton Owen • Born Feb. 28, 1907, to pioneers who took her to her first home on the corner
of Texas Avenue and Main Street. •
Married Lewis Owen, who died in 1959. •
10 children, 36 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. • Taught in Texas and New Mexico from 1924-1977. • Learned e-mail at 93. • Her book, "Rolling Echoes," was published in June. |
During a party held in Owens' honor Saturday at the Lubbock
Women's Club, the atmosphere was as lively as her lifetime has been, with friends and family, from infants to elders,
joining to celebrate.
Live music played in the background,
and a slide show in another room featured photos of Owen from infancy through adulthood. The guest of honor continuously visited
with more than a hundred people who had arrived to celebrate her birthday.
A table displayed letters of congratulations from President Bush, Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
"It's nice to be here and hear all of her stories," said Freeman,
one of five daughters.
Freeman said she and her husband recently
moved back to Lubbock from New York to assist her mother, who has begun to lose her hearing. Despite the toll 100 years may
have had on Owen, "Big Red" still lives on her own.
"She
has a great support system," said Karen Moroney, another daughter. "She's a fun person."
Freeman nodded in agreement with her sister and said, "There's always
somebody coming by the house to visit."
