Maria Owen

Maria Teresa Kirwan Owen died December 8, 2009 at the NIH Cancer facility in Bethesda, Maryland. She was born on May 11, 1944 in Teheran, Iran to Ruth M. Kirwan and John J. Kirwan both of whom survive her and live in Washington, DC. Also surviving her is her loving husband of 39 years John M. Owen, Jr., her daughter Megan M., her son Michael K., and her grandson Nicholas M., her brother Michael A. Kirwan predeceased her; her siblings that survive her are Thomas T. (Sharon), Gerald L., Lawrence F. Leo B. (Janis), Anthony J. and David L. Kirwan, Regina K. (Robert) Wardwell and Monika K. (Mike) Spoor, and her nephew Michael K. Also surviving her are her nephews Benjamin and Eric (Melissa) and her grand nephew Emmett Wardwell. She worked 25 years as a social worker at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC. She spent the next 5 years at the Catholic Worker House of Hospitality that her late brother had started. Finally, she was able to retire and enjoy her gardening and grandson. She battled kidney cancer for 3 years and her Catholic faith remained strong and she attended daily mass for as long as possible. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. James Catholic Church, 3628 Rhode Island Ave., Mt. Rainier, MD 20712 on Monday, December 14 at 10:00 am. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to St. James Catholic Church or St. Ann's Infant Home, 4901 Eastern Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20782