Patsy Owen

Pat was born on January 20, 1926 in Scott County, Kentucky. After graduating from Garth High School in Georgetown, Kentucky, she enrolled at Georgetown College. She left college early to support the World War II effort by working at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Through her work on the base, she met her husband Murnie (Buzz) Owen. They married in 1948 at Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio and had 50 wonderful years together.

In the early 1950’s, Pat and Buzz started Viking Import House in Dayton, Ohio, a business that specialized in importing Danish Christmas plates and other collectibles. Because of their love of the ocean and sailing, Pat and Buzz moved the business to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Viking Import House ran successfully for nearly 50 years until the time that Pat sold it shortly after Buzz’s death in 1998.

Pat was adventurous. She learned to fly a plane before she could drive a car. She and Buzz loved to sail, participating in many sail boat races. They also had a 40-foot-long sailing boat named the Viking built in Oslo, Norway. Pat and Buzz sailed 2,600 miles throughout Europe before they made the 3,000-mile Atlantic Ocean crossing in 27 days, stopping at dozens of ports.  She went parasailing at age 80.

Pat was deeply devoted to God and her community. She founded her charity, Second Chance Society, at the age of 75 and served as its Executive Director until she was 95. Second Chance pays for tools, uniforms and other supplies for people who obtain employment but do not have the right equipment or clothes to begin work. Second Chance also helps individuals obtain identification cards. To date, Second Chance has served over 5,000 clients in its Hands-Up Program and over 6,000 clients in its ID Program. Pat was also loyal member of First United Methodist Church in Ft. Lauderdale. She found purpose and strength from what she did and inspired many, many others.

Pat was predeceased by her parents George and Forrest Penn, siblings William (Hallie) Penn, Betty Reichardt, and Margaret (David) Elam, step-sons Richard (Marie) Owen and Carl (Jean) Owen and step-granddaughter Connie (Jeff) Bayman.  She is survived by sister Nancy (Vern) Woods and step-grandchildren Carla (Ken) Finley, Laura (Mike) O’Leary, James Owen and Kathryn (Gregory) Shulkers. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and other loved family members.

A visitation will be held at Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home in Ft. Lauderdale on March 25, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church on March 26, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., and may also be viewed by live stream on the Church’s page on Facebook. Condolences may be left for the family at https://www.fredhunters.com/obituary/patsy-owen.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Second Chance Society (https://www.secondchancesociety.org).