Georgia B. Owen

GARDNER- Georgia B. (Erikson) Owen 73, of Gardner died unexpectedly Friday, September 27, 2019 at UMass Memorial Hospital- University Campus in Worcester. She was born on December 11, 1945 in Gardner the daughter of George Erikson and Alice (Corrigan) Erikson. She was a lifelong resident of Gardner. Georgia graduated from Gardner High School class of 1963 she was a member of the Greenwood Memorial Swim team. She went to the 1960 Olympic tryouts for swimming and was a second woman to break the one minute mark in the 100 freestyle. She was once ranked as the number one female swimmer in New England. Georgia received her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Mount Wachusett Community College in 1996. She coached the Gardner High School Swim Team from 1981 to 1993. She was a member of Holy Rosary Church and a former member of Sacred Heart Church. She played the flute with many community bands more recently with the Petersham Community Band. She is survived by one daughter, Alice (Owen) Day of Gardner; one son, Andrew Owen and his wife Bridgette of Harleysville, Pennsylvania; two sisters, Sheila Person of Gardner, Mary Minor of Gardner; two grandchildren, Jonathan Day of Gardner, Brianna Owen of Harleysville, Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, David E. Owen who passed in 2000. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 10 AM in Annunciation Parish - Holy Rosary Church 135 Nichols St., Gardner. Burial will follow and St Johns Cemetery Gardner. Calling hours will be held Friday, October 4, 2019 from 5 to 7 PM at the Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner. In lieu of flowers the family suggest that donations be made in Georgia's memory to The American Heart Association. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Mack Family Funeral Home 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.