Dorothy M. Owen

SCOTTSDALE – Dorothy M. Owen, 89, passed away on July 9, 2018 surrounded by family and in the loving care of Hospice of the Valley, Eckstein Center. Dorothy was born in Scranton, PA to Willard and Catherine Heen on December 12, 1928. She grew up in Scranton where she graduated High School before going on to nursing school to become a registered nurse. After nursing school, Dorothy moved to New York city to begin her career, before joining the United States Navy. Upon her discharge from the Navy, Dorothy would go on to marry and have two children, Jeffrey and Patricia. She continued her career sometimes working three jobs to support her family all while being an amazing mother. Dorothy moved around the east coast ending up back in Scranton for nine years until one day deciding she wasn’t that fond of snow, packed up her car drove across the country with her two children to sunny Arizona where she would find joy and happiness and making friends that would last a lifetime. She continued her career in nursing before retiring at the age of 70 from Phoenix Memorial Hospital. After her retirement she and her devoted sister Kathleen attended concerts, Phoenix Suns games, Broadway plays, and whatever trouble they could get themselves into. As Dorothy’s health declined she lost interested in her previous loves of reading and the lottery, developing new interests one of which was Nascar and NHRA drag racing, thanks to her caring son-in-law David. Dorothy and her sister had planned to go out of this world together like Thelma and Louise and perhaps if allowed to have her car keys, may have given it a try! She was a rebel, a pioneer, and a force to reckoned with and was affectionately called Mother Teresa because of her deep love, care and concern for all. She will be always loved and forever missed. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Willard and Catherine and brothers Joseph and William. She is survived by her sister Kathleen Heen of Scottsdale, son Jeffrey Owen, daughter-in-law Mindi of Anthem, daughter Patricia Ellis, son-in-law David of Scottsdale, grandchildren Nicholas, Sarah, Madison and Alyssa, nieces JoAnne and Nancy Heen, Susan De Dionisio, and “son” Veron Marsh of Vancouver, BC. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, https://www.hov.org