Betty Owens

Betty Owens, 91, of Darby, passed away on Tuesday March 28, 2023, after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born on December 12, 1931, in Haysi, Virginia to Fred and Opal Green. She lived with her parents and brother in Nealy Ridge, Virginia and graduated from Wise High School in Wise, Virginia.

She married Oren (Boots) Owens on June 21, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan. The couple lived in Royal Oak, Michigan, then moved to Concord, California in 1963, with their four children. She was active in her Baptist church, was a member of the church choir, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. The family then moved to Salt Lake City in 1970 where Betty began working for JC Penney, eventually moving up to a manager position.

While searching for a place to retire Betty and Boots discovered the Bitterroot Valley and purchased their property in Darby in 1981, where they built their dream home.

Betty enjoyed cooking, reading, and loved flowers, her favorite being yellow roses. She always wanted to go on a cruise, and so for their 50th wedding anniversary her children surprised their parents with a cruise to Alaska. Her true joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James Green. Survivors include her four children, Marcia (Doug) Peterson, Billings, Mary Beth Owens, Lolo, Mark (Cori) Owens, Darby and Sandy, Utah, and Matthew (Shellie) Owens, Sandy, Utah.

Seven grandchildren - Nicholas, Caitlin, Brooke, Brandon, Ashlee, Andrew, and Randy; and eight great-grandchildren - Jase, Grace, Kash, Zoey, Kaison, Ethan, Quinn, and Luke.

She will be buried at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula next to her beloved husband Boots. No funeral services are planned, but a celebration of life will take place in Darby later this summer.