Dorothy Y Owens, aged 96, of Rockford, Illinois passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025 in Beloit, Wisconsin. She was born March 22, 1929 in Tennessee to the Boyd family. Dorothy married V.G. Owens in 1974 and they spent 38 wonderful years together before he passed in 2012.
Dorothy enjoyed gardening, she loved growing beautiful flowers in her yard. She liked to embroider pillow slips, which decorated her house. She loved the holidays, looking at Christmas light displays was a favorite activity. She enjoyed listening to Jimmy Swaggart’s songs. She liked to try new restaurants and could spend all day shopping at the thrift store. She was well known for making her signature Fantasy Bars for any gathering with food. Most of all she loved her family.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Paulette Cupp, Dwight Shepherd, and Sheila (Rick) Shepherd; grandchildren, Tammy (Craig) Meyer, Tara (Michael) Cupp-Cotherman, Eric (Renee) Cupp, Jennifer (Billy) Rappley, Melissa Huggins, Samantha (Jake) Habben, and Jeff Shayan; great-grandchildren, Dillon (Ana Luiza) Skinner, Erica Cupp, Reese Cupp, Sammy (Josh) Meyer, Kaden Huggins, Logan Rappley, Gracie Rappley, Leah Shayan, and Johnny Shayan; special niece, Sherry and Bill Kinison; and caregivers, Bonnie and Eileen.
She was preceded in death by her husband, V.G. Owens; parents; ten siblings; and son-in-law, Jimmy Cupp.
A visitation for Dorothy will be held Tuesday, December 2 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, Illinois, 61115. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm. Burial rites will be accorded at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
