Velma Owens

Velma Isabel (Leisy) Owens, our cherished mother, grandmother, and friend went to be with the Lord on November 2, 2007 after a brief illness. She was born August 16, 1913 in Massillon to the late Walter and Eva (Allman) Leisy and lived most of her 94 years on the west side. She graduated from Washington High School in 1931 and completed her education at a business school in Canton. In 1935, she married the love of her life, the late Owen (Deac) Owens (d. 1973). She worked at the East Ohio Gas Company and then at Ohio Edison as secretary to the Systems Operations Superintendent, retiring after 35 years. She attended Methodist churches in Massillon and Melbourne, Florida, where she wintered for 22 years. Velma enjoyed music, traveling, bird watching, ballooning, and serving her family selflessly. She was a member of the Child Conservation League, Sweet Adelines, Redi-Kilowatt Girls, the Canton Audubon Society, and the Wilderness Center. She also worked at the polls for many years and volunteered with the Girl Reserves (YWCA), the Attic Resale Shop (Massillon Community Hospital), and fundraising for charities. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Don Leisy, and is survived by daughters Eva (Rev. Robert) Ralston of this city and Nancy (John) McLean of Phoenix. She has five grandchildren: Jon Ralston of San Diego, Meredith (Chad) Anderson of Phoenix, Nancy (Caleb) Mitchell of Denver, Amber McLean of Washington, D.C., and Ross McLean of Tucson and a dear cousin, Robert (Marge) Allman of Ravenna. Friends may call at the Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home, 1100 Wales Road NE in Massillon from 10-11 before the funeral service at 11:00 on Thursday, November 8th. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a contribution be made to the Wilderness Center’s Tree of Life Memorial Program, P.O. Box 202, Wilmot, Ohio 44689. Arnold-Lynch – A Golden Rule Funeral Home 330-833-4839 Please sign the guestbook at www.arnoldlynch.com