Obituary

Barbara Lee Owens was born January 30, 1948 and passed away peacefully July 17, 2025 after a short illness.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Jerry Owens, and survived by a niece, Christa Elaine Owens, a nephew, Andrew Owens, and several cousins.

Barbara grew up in West Virginia, where she worked on her father’s newspaper (St Mary’s Oracle) every summer.

During high school she was a delegate to Congress and got to meet President Johnson.

In the 70’s, after she graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelors, she helped to found the first vegetarian restaurant in Pittsburgh. 

Barbara earned a Masters in Education at University of Pittsburgh and another Masters in Health Science at Johns Hopkins University. 

With these degrees, Barabra was involved in getting funding for the state of PA for halfway houses and mental health facilities.

She was part of a weekly jam group that she regarded as her family, hosting a number of gatherings at her home.

We will miss her excellent conversation, music appreciation, and sense of humor.