Welcome to the memorial page for
Annette A. (Desrosiers) Owen
October 2, 1948 ~ October 20, 2017 (age 69) 69 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Sue
October 27, 2017 8:36 AM
Annette,
I've been sitting here, with this opened for 10 mins. now without a written word. I have a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and emptiness in my heart. I can't seem to find words to say.
You know how I'm feeling. And, what you meant to me. With that please say hi and give my love to Denise, Mom, Dad, Ray, Cecile, Russell, The Jarosz Family and all the other ones who touched my life. There's to may to mention.
I know you will watch over us. And, I want you to know, we'll be looking up for you !
I Love You,
Sue xo
I've been sitting here, with this opened for 10 mins. now without a written word. I have a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and emptiness in my heart. I can't seem to find words to say.
You know how I'm feeling. And, what you meant to me. With that please say hi and give my love to Denise, Mom, Dad, Ray, Cecile, Russell, The Jarosz Family and all the other ones who touched my life. There's to may to mention.
I know you will watch over us. And, I want you to know, we'll be looking up for you !
I Love You,
Sue xo
Message from Richie
October 29, 2017 6:33 AM
Well said Susie
Message from Marcel
October 26, 2017 5:53 PM
Annette Owen
Care of: Saint Peter
One Pearly Gate Lane
City of Angels, Heaven 00001 October 25, 2017
Dear Annette,
Today was your funeral and I miss you already.
The presentation by the Catholic priest at your service was both touching and personal. We got to pray together as family, friends and neighbors. The priest’s words were comforting and reassuring.
Yet, I’m writing because I feel sad that I did not stand up and speak at your funeral service as I have done when other family members have passed.
After your wonderfully touching funeral service, I tried to explain to our sister Sue why I hadn’t prepared anything to say on your behalf at the service. I gave her three or four “reasons”. But, they were all excuses not reasons.
Upon reflection, I realize that I did not prepare anything to say because I would not let myself believe that you have actually passed. In my profession, that is called denial.
I did not want to admit to myself that you were no longer with us because you have been, as Charlotte has termed, the “Matriarch” of the family since mom died.
You have always been there, always caring, always helpful, always just a phone call away. Or a Skype away.
I guess it was hard for me to believe that you have left this planet.
Of course, I am confident that you are now in Heaven.
I know that this is true since I was present when you received the Last Rites from the hospital chaplain. His prayers were designed to open the Gates of Heaven to you.
Yet, as I listened and watched the priest praying to the Lord for your soul while you lay in the hospital bed, I already knew that you had secured your path to Heaven.
Long before your body began to fail, you guaranteed your spot in Heaven through your constant and enduring love and devotion to Don, Richie, and Brenda.
I was glad to be present that day when the hospital rabbi came to your room to offer his support. Do you remember that day? I wasn’t sure if you were awake when he entered. At first, I thought he was in the wrong room since we are not Jewish, but he was not in the wrong room at all. He expressed his condolences, knowing your grave condition and simply asked Don how long the two of you have been married.
Don told him: 50 years.
He said to Don, “If I may ask, who pursued whom?”
Without hesitation Don said, “She pursued me.”
The rabbi said, “Ah! It seems she made a fine catch!”
Don lowered his head and smiled and said, “So did I.”
Barbara (who was unwaveringly at your bedside up until the last) brought up the fact that two Desrosiers sisters married two Owen brothers.
I will never forget the rabbi’s comment as he spread his arms as if to hug the whole room: “Fifty years married and sisters married to brothers! Wow, there is a lot of Love in this family!”
He was sooo right.
I was also glad to be present when you Skyped with Richie all the way in Dubai from your hospital bed. You got to kiss his sweet face on the iPad. Now, that brought me to tears.
But it’s clear to me that you shared your love and compassion well beyond your immediate family.
Having met the many people who came to pay their final respects to you on this solemn day, I realize that you have touched the lives of so many of your neighbors, former co-workers, former students and even school bus drivers.
I have to say, it was wonderful that so many of your neighbors came to say good bye to you. Several spoke to me about how the neighborhood on your street is a close-knit group that cares about one another and watches over one another, almost like one big neighborhood family. And every one of them told me how you and Don and Brenda were such a big part of the fabric of that unity.
It warms my heart and makes me proud to be your brother.
I could not resist telling every one of your former co-workers a story which was told to me several years ago by the former special education director of Central Falls Schools. When she discovered I was your brother, she mentioned that you were wonderful to work with and that everyone at Captain Hunt school adored you, not just the students but the entire staff – administrators, teachers, teacher aides, and yes, even the school bus drivers!
She then smiled and said she once had to meet with you about some union business (since you were the shop steward) and you arrived to her office dressed as a pumpkin because it was a Halloween dress up day in your class.
She said that she took one look at your pumpkin outfit and laughed so hard that she had to reschedule the meeting because, as she put it, “I just couldn’t negotiate with a pumpkin!”
Of course, every person who heard my version of the pumpkin costume story nodded knowingly, being familiar with your penchant to “dress up for the Holidays”.
Speaking of that – Sue told me how for many years you and your cohorts would take a train (Sue called it the Midnight Express) to Boston where you would dress up as Santa Claus and hand out presents to children.
You see, this is only a small sample of the sharing of love that came so naturally to you.
After your funeral service I was talking with Sue and I started to mention that one of the strengths within our family is that we share love unconditionally. But, Sue actually finished my words before I could get them out.
You were the model of this unconditional love throughout your life. You gave of yourself to others and expressed unconditional love for Don, Richie, and Brenda as well as the entire Desrosiers and Owen families. And you formed a neighborhood of love on your very own street.
Matriarch, indeed!
I thought I should mention that you shouldn’t worry too much about Don. He’s a pretty tough guy. He seems like he can handle just about anything life throws his way. Richie, too. And Alexander will be fine.
Finally, I take great individual comfort in knowing Brenda now has her very own personal Guardian Angel watching over her as she continues her journeys around the sun.
Now that makes me smile.
So, having missed my opportunity to stand up and speak at your final service, I thought I should write you this letter to let you know how proud I am to be your brother and that I will always keep you in my heart and in my prayers.
I figured that I would ask Don what he thought would happen to this letter when it got to the US Post Office. But, Cheryl said that I didn’t even need to put this letter in the mail. Since you are in Heaven, you already know that I wrote it.
Isn’t that wonderful?
So, I guess I’ll keep writing you letters in my head until I get to see you on the other side!
Love,
Marcel
Care of: Saint Peter
One Pearly Gate Lane
City of Angels, Heaven 00001 October 25, 2017
Dear Annette,
Today was your funeral and I miss you already.
The presentation by the Catholic priest at your service was both touching and personal. We got to pray together as family, friends and neighbors. The priest’s words were comforting and reassuring.
Yet, I’m writing because I feel sad that I did not stand up and speak at your funeral service as I have done when other family members have passed.
After your wonderfully touching funeral service, I tried to explain to our sister Sue why I hadn’t prepared anything to say on your behalf at the service. I gave her three or four “reasons”. But, they were all excuses not reasons.
Upon reflection, I realize that I did not prepare anything to say because I would not let myself believe that you have actually passed. In my profession, that is called denial.
I did not want to admit to myself that you were no longer with us because you have been, as Charlotte has termed, the “Matriarch” of the family since mom died.
You have always been there, always caring, always helpful, always just a phone call away. Or a Skype away.
I guess it was hard for me to believe that you have left this planet.
Of course, I am confident that you are now in Heaven.
I know that this is true since I was present when you received the Last Rites from the hospital chaplain. His prayers were designed to open the Gates of Heaven to you.
Yet, as I listened and watched the priest praying to the Lord for your soul while you lay in the hospital bed, I already knew that you had secured your path to Heaven.
Long before your body began to fail, you guaranteed your spot in Heaven through your constant and enduring love and devotion to Don, Richie, and Brenda.
I was glad to be present that day when the hospital rabbi came to your room to offer his support. Do you remember that day? I wasn’t sure if you were awake when he entered. At first, I thought he was in the wrong room since we are not Jewish, but he was not in the wrong room at all. He expressed his condolences, knowing your grave condition and simply asked Don how long the two of you have been married.
Don told him: 50 years.
He said to Don, “If I may ask, who pursued whom?”
Without hesitation Don said, “She pursued me.”
The rabbi said, “Ah! It seems she made a fine catch!”
Don lowered his head and smiled and said, “So did I.”
Barbara (who was unwaveringly at your bedside up until the last) brought up the fact that two Desrosiers sisters married two Owen brothers.
I will never forget the rabbi’s comment as he spread his arms as if to hug the whole room: “Fifty years married and sisters married to brothers! Wow, there is a lot of Love in this family!”
He was sooo right.
I was also glad to be present when you Skyped with Richie all the way in Dubai from your hospital bed. You got to kiss his sweet face on the iPad. Now, that brought me to tears.
But it’s clear to me that you shared your love and compassion well beyond your immediate family.
Having met the many people who came to pay their final respects to you on this solemn day, I realize that you have touched the lives of so many of your neighbors, former co-workers, former students and even school bus drivers.
I have to say, it was wonderful that so many of your neighbors came to say good bye to you. Several spoke to me about how the neighborhood on your street is a close-knit group that cares about one another and watches over one another, almost like one big neighborhood family. And every one of them told me how you and Don and Brenda were such a big part of the fabric of that unity.
It warms my heart and makes me proud to be your brother.
I could not resist telling every one of your former co-workers a story which was told to me several years ago by the former special education director of Central Falls Schools. When she discovered I was your brother, she mentioned that you were wonderful to work with and that everyone at Captain Hunt school adored you, not just the students but the entire staff – administrators, teachers, teacher aides, and yes, even the school bus drivers!
She then smiled and said she once had to meet with you about some union business (since you were the shop steward) and you arrived to her office dressed as a pumpkin because it was a Halloween dress up day in your class.
She said that she took one look at your pumpkin outfit and laughed so hard that she had to reschedule the meeting because, as she put it, “I just couldn’t negotiate with a pumpkin!”
Of course, every person who heard my version of the pumpkin costume story nodded knowingly, being familiar with your penchant to “dress up for the Holidays”.
Speaking of that – Sue told me how for many years you and your cohorts would take a train (Sue called it the Midnight Express) to Boston where you would dress up as Santa Claus and hand out presents to children.
You see, this is only a small sample of the sharing of love that came so naturally to you.
After your funeral service I was talking with Sue and I started to mention that one of the strengths within our family is that we share love unconditionally. But, Sue actually finished my words before I could get them out.
You were the model of this unconditional love throughout your life. You gave of yourself to others and expressed unconditional love for Don, Richie, and Brenda as well as the entire Desrosiers and Owen families. And you formed a neighborhood of love on your very own street.
Matriarch, indeed!
I thought I should mention that you shouldn’t worry too much about Don. He’s a pretty tough guy. He seems like he can handle just about anything life throws his way. Richie, too. And Alexander will be fine.
Finally, I take great individual comfort in knowing Brenda now has her very own personal Guardian Angel watching over her as she continues her journeys around the sun.
Now that makes me smile.
So, having missed my opportunity to stand up and speak at your final service, I thought I should write you this letter to let you know how proud I am to be your brother and that I will always keep you in my heart and in my prayers.
I figured that I would ask Don what he thought would happen to this letter when it got to the US Post Office. But, Cheryl said that I didn’t even need to put this letter in the mail. Since you are in Heaven, you already know that I wrote it.
Isn’t that wonderful?
So, I guess I’ll keep writing you letters in my head until I get to see you on the other side!
Love,
Marcel
Message from Richie
October 29, 2017 6:32 AM
Very nice, Marcel
October 24, 2017 10:40 PM
So sorry for you loss. Peace to Annette. Peace to th e Owen and the Desrosiers family's and friends. Betsy Lu Russell
Message from Rich
October 26, 2017 4:05 PM
Thanks Betsy
Message from The Chlebek Family
October 23, 2017 9:15 AM
Don, Rich, and Brenda. I'm so very sorry for your loss on our beloved Annette. She loved you all so very much and always talked about her little Alex. My friend since we were 12 years old, my sister-in -law for 50 years.We will miss her so very much and will never forget her. As you know I will always be there for you. Love to you all.
Message from Rich
October 23, 2017 4:11 PM
Thanks You
Message from The Cole Family
October 22, 2017 7:18 PM
We are so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in family and friends (Proverbs 17:17). For additonal strength, may you find it in God who cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Please accept our deepest condolences.
Message from Rich
October 23, 2017 4:11 PM
Thanks
Message from Jim and Carol Deffley Cookeville, TN
October 22, 2017 1:35 PM
Donald, Richie, Brenda and Sue, Our deepest condolences and prayers go our to you at this time. Annette was a wonderful Friend neighbor and person. May God hold you all in the palm of his hand.
Message from Rich
October 23, 2017 4:10 PM
Thanks Jim and Carol
Message from Jim Deffley
October 24, 2017 7:57 AM
Great Lady Rich give our best to your father. The neighborhood has lost another good person
Message from Kathy (Matuszek Martin) Menard
October 22, 2017 7:42 AM
Dear Donald, Richie, Brenda and Family,
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your precious Annette. She was definitely an angel on earth. She actually taught me more than I ever taught her. Annette was a hard worker and a blessing to have by my side whether we took the CFHS students to the Special Olympics , were bringing the summer program pre-school students to Little Compton or taking a train ride to Boston for lunch! I am grateful that her suffering is over and that God has finally taken her to Heaven to rest. I will carry her and her wisdom in my heart forever. Love, prayers, sympathy and friendship, Kathy
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your precious Annette. She was definitely an angel on earth. She actually taught me more than I ever taught her. Annette was a hard worker and a blessing to have by my side whether we took the CFHS students to the Special Olympics , were bringing the summer program pre-school students to Little Compton or taking a train ride to Boston for lunch! I am grateful that her suffering is over and that God has finally taken her to Heaven to rest. I will carry her and her wisdom in my heart forever. Love, prayers, sympathy and friendship, Kathy
Message from Richard
October 22, 2017 8:20 AM
Thanks Kathy
Message from Ken and Cookie Boily
October 21, 2017 4:01 PM
So very sorry. Annette was a beautiful lady inside and out. She will be missed.
Message from Richard
October 22, 2017 8:19 AM
Thanks Ken and Cookie
Message from Vicki Lacourse
October 21, 2017 1:35 PM
I'm so very sorry to hear about Annette. She was a wonderful person and like a big Sister when I lived in Rhode Island away from my family. She opened her home to me just like I was part of her family. Thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you at this difficult time.
Vicki Lacourse
Vicki Lacourse
Message from Richard
October 22, 2017 8:18 AM
Thanks Vicki
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