In a journal entry, Caldwell resident Linda Owens wrote, "Though we don't have much, we are rich in family."
"To me, her heart was her family. She just self-sacrificed for her family. That was life for her," son Brad Owens said.
Friends and family gathered to remember Owens who died Jan. 21 at age 57.
Owens was born in Durango, Colo., the oldest of seven children. When she was young, the family moved to Middleton, where she attended school.
At the age of eight, Owens received her first piano, a Mason and Hamlin, which would be a lifelong treasure, according to her son Adam.
After graduation, Owens attended Boise State University, where she majored in piano performance and music education. While singing in the choir at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute, she met her soul mate, Rodney Owens.
"She was very pretty, and she just seemed to radiate," husband Rodney said. "I could to talk to her for hours."
The couple began their 34-plus years together on June 19, 1972.
Owens shared her talents by teaching music at several schools in the Treasure Valley and teaching piano to neighborhood children and her own kids.
"We'd gather around and sing. It was the background music to our family experience. We grew up listening to Chopin and Bach. All of us (kids) play the piano a little bit," Brad said. "We knew that if we wanted to get out of doing chores, all we had to do was start playing the piano. She wanted us to have the joy that music brought her."
Brad recalled that times could be tough while growing up in family of seven. Many times he said his mother sacrificed for the family.
"One time, when money was especially tight, we learned later that she had secretly tried to have her piano sold but didn't end up doing it. It was symbol of what she had to do for our family. It was very touching, and we all cried when we found out," he said.
A devoted mother, Owens also took the time on Sundays to call each of her seven children, who are spread out from coast to coast.
Adam remembers his mother's fun and sometimes wild side.
"She wrecked my father's GTO. She does have a bit of a speed record. Not that she meant to speed — she'd loose track sometimes. She's had some tickets. In fact, we have to pay one still," Adam laughed.
Owens involvement in the LDS church also was an important part of her life, according to family.
"She was just deeply devoted to her church and had a very deep faith in God and Jesus Christ. I think that drove and inspired a lot of selflessness. She believed that her family could be together forever," Brad said.
In Remembrance is a weekly profile on a Treasure Valley resident who has recently passed away. Contact West Treasure Valley news assistant Kristi Coffman at kcoffman@idahostatesman.com or 672-6742.
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