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Submitted: 6/14/14 • Approved: 6/15/14 • Last Updated: 6/18/14 • R1012605-G0-S3
December 6, 1920, Maulden, Bedfordshire, England
November 11, 2011, Mountain Home, Baxter County, Arkansas
The Baxter Bulletin
November 15, 2011
Mrs. Marion W. Owen, age 91 of Mountain Home passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 at Baxter Regional Medical Center. Our mother was a lovely, gentle lady. Her story begins in 1920, where she was born above the George Inn. Her father owned the Inn located in a very small but beautiful English Village called Maulden, in Bedfordshire, Endland.
The church she went to as a child and where she was married was built in the 16th century. She attended this church all her English life. Her young life up until her early 20's she lived in the village of Maulden. She had one sister and one brother.
We would come home from school and mother would tell us tales of her Maulden Village youth, such as picking Blue Belles in the woods, dancing the maypole, and going to church three times on Sunday, early, middle and evening.
Along came WWII and mother joined the British ARP, driving ambulances by herself with blackout lights. She was alone and had to ask for help on ambulance runs. Mother met dad who was stationed in the USAF in England. They married in 1944 and Ann Bender was born in England in 1945.
They came to the US on the Queen Mary which was outfitted for war brides. We lived in a small town with a lovely family, all teachers. Eventually we ended up living in Lawrence, Kansas, our hometown.
My mother gave birth to Ann Bender of Denver, Colorado, Heather Macurdy of Cotter, Arkansas and one son, Richard Owen who died at the age of 40 due to complications of multiple sclerosis.
Everywhere we lived our mother always made each home we lived in so cozy & with so many gardens. Our family would go for walks out in the country and when we came home we had "tea". Also, on weekends we would drive to KC, MO to the Nelson Art Gallery-it was full of beautiful paintings even for a small child to cherish and appreciate.
Our entire family will always remember mother in so many ways and she will be in our hearts and memory eternally. Mother is now in a beautiful place, Heaven, surrounded by loved ones who have gone before her. She is released from all the pain, confusion, suffering that accompanied her in her last years. Her body was just a vessel created by God for her Spirit to dwell in while she was physically alive on Earth. It gives us great comfort to know she is free, happy, peaceful and loved in a beautiful place we all call Heaven.
Heaven is the original place of birth of one's soul and also the original intended home God created for all souls to return to eternally. I, Heather Macurdy truly believe God is a Very Real, Very Loving Father of us all that live and die on this transitory place we call Earth. Heaven is all of our true homes, where our true souls, true spirits dwell in happiness, peace, contentment, love and so many more infinite things.
I know mother is safe, happy, and in peace and bliss in her original home. We Love You Mother.
A memorial service, conducted by Reverend James McDonald will be held 1:30 PM Friday, November 18, 2011 at Roller Funeral Home. Interment will be private.
Arrangements by Roller Funeral Home. Online guestbook:www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
Contributed on 6/14/14 by maxparnell
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Record #: 1012605