Mabel Josephine Owens, 102
Mabel Josephine Owens, age 102 of Northridge CA, formerly of New Hampton, Iowa, died peacefully Saturday January 27, 2018, at her home in Northridge.
Funeral services were held on February 3, 2018 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Reseda, CA. The funeral mass was officiated by Father M. Mau and Deacon Peter Ledro. Laying the pall was her nephew Charles Rochford, nieces Frances Rochford and Jean Hoffman, and her goddaughter Maura Quady. Pallbearers were Eric Quady, Bryan Lane, Kelly Wahl, Bob Bruning, Mike Owens, and Garrett Phelps. Honorary pallbearer was Dennis Phelps. Mike Owens and Eric Quady served as lectors.
A visitation will take place Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Hugeback-Johnson funeral home in New Hampton, Iowa from 10 to 11 AM. Graveside services will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, Iowa following a luncheon at the Pinicon in New Hampton. Online condolences for Mabel's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com
Mabel J. Owens was the daughter of William and Mary (Brannon) Rochford and was born on the family farm near Fredericksburg, IA, on June 21, 1915. She joined older sisters Mary, Gertrude, Leona, and Evelyn and an older brother Frank. In 1917 Eugene (Rocky) was born. In 1921, her father died in a horse and wagon accident and the family moved to New Hampton, Iowa.Mabel attended St Joseph’s Catholic school graduating from the 8th grade in 1929. She then went to the New Hampton High School and graduated in 1933. In 1935, Mabel was issued a High School Normal Training Certificate for the state of Iowa and taught school for one year. Later, Mabel worked at Olmsted & Gardner drug store in New Hampton, IA.
On January 8, 1944, Mabel became the bride of Charles Owens at the Stoneman’s Chapel at Pittsfield, CA. Post Chaplain Fr. Michael J. Collins officiated. Charles and Mabel made their home in Los Angeles, CA, and in 1951 moved into their new home in Northridge, CA where she lived until the time of her death. Charles preceded her in death on October 15, 2006.Mabel worked at Clark Drug Store. She was a member of the Reseda Women’s Club and a 67-year member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Mabel enjoyed planting and caring for the flowers in her yard making her backyard a magical place for all that visited. Her smile was brightest when she was with small children. She made each and everyone of them feel like they were the most important person in the world. Mabel was known for her pies and homemade goodies that she shared with friends and neighbors. She always had cookies for the children in the neighborhood. Mabel loved family and often she and Charley traveled back to Iowa to share in numerous family activities and spend treasured time with family and friends. Mabel’s “family” also included her many dear friends from Blythe St and the ladies at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.
Survivors include nieces Frances Rochford of New Hampton, IA and Jean (Dennis) Hoffman of Estherville, IA, and a nephew Charles (Lynnette) Rochford of Oelwein, IA and a dear friend Kathy (Don) Hockmuth, five great nieces and nephews, and fourteen great-great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by several of Charley’s nieces, nephews, and extended family members on the Owens side of the family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Frank (Olive), Eugene (Addie), and sisters Mary (Tom) McCormick, Gert Rochford, Leona Rochford, Evelyn Rochford, niece Mary Elizabeth Rochford, great nephew Andy Hoffman, and several brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law.
