Mary Jo Owen

(January, 20, 1934 - March 11, 2008)

Mary Jo Owen, 74, of Richmond, California, died on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 of heart failure.

She was born on Jan. 20, 1934 in Fremont to Russell and Jeanne (Carothers) Gilliland. She graduated from Fremont High School and attended Western Michigan University, where she met and married her husband of 45 years, the late attorney Jack Owen. She was a homemaker, swimming teacher, legal assistant, owner of a coffee and tobacco shop, realtor-broker, co-founder of the Irish Lass’ Soap and a volunteer with Good Stuff Thrift Store.

She is survived by three married daughters, Jan Owen (Charles Lind) of Richmond California, Dr. Jonice Owen (Vinay Pimple) of Emerybille, California, and Jennifer Owen (Marcel Rodriguez) of Portland, Oregon; a granddaughter, McKinley Owen Rodriguez; a brother, Daniel Gilliland; and a niece, Jeanne Gilliland.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Peggy Gilliland; and her husband.

A celebration of Mary Jo Owen’s life will take place in the San Francisco Bay area at a later date.