Gail Owens

February 27, 1939 - April 13, 2021
Gail Owens

Gifts & Memorial Donations

Gail Elizabeth (Sherman) Owens, 82, of Hendersonville passed away at Carolina Reserve on April 13, 2021 after a long illness. Gail was born in Bath, Maine to Paul H. Sherman and Mary Eleanor Mullaney and grew up in Bath then Cambridge and Lexington, Massachusetts. She graduated from Lexington High School and attended Green Mountain College in Vermont. She met her future husband, a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic in nearby New York, on her first day at Green Mountain.

Gail and her husband, David Owens, were married in Lexington and enjoyed a 60 year marriage. She was a traditional housewife and mother who raised three children and supported her husband’s career through many relocations from Newport and Boston in the Navy and to Pittsburgh (three times), Houston, Kansas City and New Martinsville, WV in industry. They retired to Hendersonville in 1999.

She served the community in many ways, from volunteering at a hospital and her children’s schools to taking in foster children and working for the Humane Society. She was active in several Episcopal churches, including developing and starting a Sunday school program at St. Ann’s in West Virginia. In later years she bred and showed Norfolk Terriers, producing many champions, one of which was shown in New York at the Westminster Kennel Club. She was president of the Hendersonville Kennel Club for seven years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Paul Sherman Jr.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter Linda Owens (Laura Goodson) of Hopewell, NJ; son Thomas Owens (Amanda Ullman) of Greer, SC; and son, Gerald Owens (Jennifer Smith) of Moore, OK. She is also survived by three granddaughters, Jaime Owens of Fountain, CO, and Claire and Kathryn Owens of Greer, SC; and a brother, Robert Sherman (Elaine Leo) of Gilford, NH.

The family plans a small remembrance gathering at a later date when all can be present.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Four Seasons Hospice Foundation of Hendersonville, 211 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

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  • April 16, 2021
    Lisa (Mander) Heisler says:
    Growing up with Mrs. Owens as my second mom was amazing! She taught me many important things like how to speak with a New England accent and that Flav-R-Ice was a medicine that fixed everything from hurt feelings to cut knees or chicken pox. I have the greatest, fond, fun and loving memories of her. She would always let Linda and I ride backward in the big station wagon.....with the window down!! I can picture how she always sat so tall with her feet together, and a small smile always on her face. She would laugh out loud with....or maybe at (?) Linda and I! She would always smile and comment when Daisy would lay in my lap because she said she didn't do that with too many people. And, she let us write all over the walls before they were wallpapered!! She and my mom were great friends. The world is a much dimmer place without her in it.......BUT....imagine how heaven lit up when she showed up! Mr. Owens, Linda and Tommy....I love you guys and you will always mean so much to me. I am so sorry that you have lost your matriarch, but am also so happy that you had her all those years. What memories!

  • April 17, 2021
    Crystal Gasperson says:
    Blessed to have known Gail over the past few years . Her infectious smile and wonderful stories she told will be the memories that I fondly recall when I think of her. God Bless & Comfort the Family!

  • April 18, 2021
    Janice Prichard, Blueprint Cardigan Welsh Corgis says:
    I new Gail as a dedicated breeder/owner of her beloved Norfolk Terriers and as well as respected leader of the Hendersonville Kennel Club. She was always kind, considerate, organized and a voice of reason working to improve the club and its mission while always advocating for our canine companions. She will be missed.

  • April 19, 2021
    Sheila Foran says:
    The American Norfolk Terrier Association (ANTA) mourns Gail's loss. She was devoted to our breed and made many friends during her years breeding and showing her Deerwalk Norfolk Terriers. Our condolences to Gail's family and friends.

  • April 20, 2021
    Caroline & Dylan Chow says:
    Deepest sympathies to Linda and the entire Owens family. Prayers and thoughts are with you all in this time of need. Let your memories comfort you.