Ellen S. Owen, 95, of the Taylor Community in Laconia, N.H., died Saturday, May 20, 2017, after a life filled with adventure and joy.

She was born in May 1922 in Washington, D.C., to Ira and Alice Simpich, where she grew up with her sister, Sara, who predeceased her. In her early years she spent summers at the family homestead in New Market, Va., surrounded by cousins and friends who would maintain lifelong friendships.  As the cousins’ families grew in later years they gathered many times in New Market for reunions that fostered a close and loving bond.

Ellen met her husband, Milton Owen, at a USO dance on the rooftop of the YMCA in Washington, D.C., during World War II. They courted for two years and before Milton shipped to Europe with the Army.  As many young people did during those hard times, they married before he left for overseas, uncertain of what lay ahead.

Milton returned safely from the war – one of five brothers who served, all of whom returned – and he and Ellen began raising their family – Sara, Hugh and Amanda  -  first in Granby, Conn., and then North Easton, Mass.

Ellen loved gardening and painting landscapes and portraits, and for the rest of her life her home was surrounded by beautiful flowers and filled inside with portraits of her children and grandchildren and paintings of places she had been.

Ellen and Milton retired to Melvin Village, N.H., in 1981, where they enjoyed boating on Lake Winnipesaukee and hosting their children and grandchildren for family get-togethers. They traveled to the West Coast and Europe.

After Milton’s death in 1991, Ellen continued her travels, visiting Japan, Great Britain and France among many countries in a whirlwind of trips. She was a member of the Melvin Village Community Church and volunteered in many community organizations.

Ellen moved to Taylor Community in 2001, living first in Moultonborough, N.H., and then in Laconia, N.H.

She celebrated her 95th birthday Saturday, May 20, 2017, surrounded by three generations of her family. It was her greatest pleasure to spend that final birthday surrounded by those she loved mostly dearly.

Ellen is survived by her children, Sara Ferris and husband Don of West Dennis, Mass.;  Hugh Owen and wife Marge of Stafford,  Conn.;  Amanda Noonan and husband Dan of Hopkinton, N.H.; grandchildren, Andrew Ferris and wife Terry, and Tim Ferris; Nate and Meg Owen;  Molly and Colin Noonan; great-grandchildren, Samantha and Sydney Ferris; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend great appreciation to the staff of Taylor Community for their dedicated caring and concern for Ellen in her final years.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Melvin Village Community Church, 476 Governor Wentworth Highway, Melvin Village, N.H. 03254

Donations in Ellen’s name may be made to Melvin Village Community Church, 476 Governor Wentworth Highway, Melvin Village, N.H. 03254

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