Josephine J. Owen, 84

The Baltimore Sun

Josephine J. Owen, a retired teacher who worked for environmental causes, died of cancer yesterday at her Lutherville home. She was 84.

Born Josephine Januzik in Chicago, she was a Navy WAVE gunnery instructor during World War II and moved to Baltimore after the war.

She earned a degree at what is now Towson University and taught in the Baltimore City and Baltimore County school systems from the mid-1960s through the 1980s. She served many years at Roland Park Middle School.

Mrs. Owen was an environmental activist and worked to protect the Loch Raven watershed near her home in the Fox Chapel neighborhood. She was a founding member and past president of the Watershed Protection Coalition.

Gov. Parris N. Glendening appointed her to the Upper Western Shore Tributary Strategy Team. She was a recipient of the Bernie Fowler Award for her work to preserve Chesapeake Bay tributaries.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St., where she was a member.

Survivors include three sons, Milton B. Sachse Jr. of North Attleboro, Mass., Thomas R. Sachse of Memphis, Tenn., and James R. Sachse of Timonium; a daughter, Jeanne S. Tuerk of Annapolis; two stepsons, Theodore Ferris Owen of Taneytown and David B. Owen of Fallston; two stepdaughters, Marsha Owen Capezio of Seven Valleys, Pa., and Laura Owen Keene of Stevensville; seven grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Her husband of 22 years, Dr. John K. Owen, died in 1990. She was divorced from Milton B. Sachse.

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