Helen M. Owen, 91, of Washington died March 4, 2010 at Washington County Hospital of a heart attack.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 2:30 pm at the United Presbyterian Home on 1203 East Washington Street, where the family invites friends to share their memories. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program in Washington or the Planned Parenthood of Southeast Iowa. Online condolences may be sent for the family at www.jonesfh.com . The Jones - Eden Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Helen Greve was born January 16, 1919, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of second-generation German immigrants Alphonso and Alma Greve. After Davenport public schools, Helen graduated from the University of Iowa School of Nursing in 1938. Following a very brief nursing practice, on Oct. 11, 1940, she married John C. Owen, a local attorney, and the couple raised their family of five in Washington, where she lived without interruption until her death.

Helen's life was intertwined with Washington's civic scene for many decades and she served on numerous local boards and committees. She was a past president of the local YWCA and Y Wives, a founding board member of the local Planned Parenthood chapter and a 50-year member of TTT. In her leadership role with the YWCA, she helped spearhead the fund drive that led to a major renovation of the YMCA-YWCA facilities in the mid-1960s.

She served as an organist for 27 years at the Washington Christian Church, and served as chair of the United Presbyterian Church service committee for many years. Besides volunteering for decades at the local county home, in her later years she was a volunteer at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. Helen also was well known locally for her love of and skill at bridge, a passion she pursued right up until her death.

Helen Margaret Owen is survived by her five children: Susan Kirk of Tucson, Arizona.; Brian Owen and wife Claire of Chicago, Illinois; Sally Ouellette of Des Moines; Alice Martin and husband Don of Chicago, Illinois; and Jim Owen and wife Carole of Arlington, Virgina.; her eight grandchildren: Jill and Megan (Susan); Barry and Beth (Brian); Chris (Sally); Robyn and Gretchen (Alice); and Daniel (Jim); her five great grandchildren: John and Gretchen (Jill); Katelyn and Gabrielle (Chris); and Owen (Beth).

Helen was preceded in death by her husband John in 1983 and her brother Richard in 1986.