Geraldine M. Owens, known to many as “Jerrie” or “Nana”, was born on September 3, 1932 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey to the late Sara Chatman Brown and Joseph (Joe) Brown.  On April 12, 2023, she passed peacefully in her sleep at home.

God blessed Jerrie with a long and fruitful life.  She met and married the late Charles Lee Owens, also a native of Montclair.  From that union, the pair was blessed with two children, Ronald C. Owens and Kim Owens Hinton. Throughout her life, Jerrie was a very devoted mother and eventually a doting grandmother.

Jerrie was educated in the Montclair Public School System attending Glenfield Elementary School and subsequently graduating from Montclair High School in 1951. Following graduation, Jerrie forwent acceptance and a scholarship to Boston University and began her work career at the Charms Candy Company in Bloomfield, New Jersey.  She also worked at Bendix Corporation for a short period before being hired at Elrob Manufacturing in Cedar Grove where she worked for over thirty years. She made a mid-career change to the dietary department at St. Barnabas Medical Center from which she ultimately retired in 1994. In an effort to provide a better life for her family, Jerrie never shied away from a part-time hustle. She delivered newspapers and sold various products; Avon, Popular Club, and Amway.

Jerrie was a founding member and faithful parishioner of St. Peter Claver Church, where she held various roles in church organizations. She also served as President of the Montclair Senior Citizen Group (The Friendly Seniors) for many years. Among her many interests, Jerrie enjoyed a competitive game of pinochle, horse racing and was always up for a day (or more) at the casino.  Back in her earlier years, she was well known for organizing group cruises and bus trips to the casino.  And, of course, Jerrie enjoyed traveling with her family, including her destination birthday celebrations in Hawaii for her 85^th and, most recently, the Grand Cayman Islands for her 90th.

While Jerrie lived most of her life in New Jersey, during her later years she moved to Williamsburg, Virginia with her daughter Kim and son-in-law John. She rarely missed a chance to get away with her daughter and visit friends/family in New Jersey, or to enjoy an occasional casino junket.

Jerrie leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory: her son, Ron (Lori); daughter, Kim (John); six grandchildren, Robyn, Ryan, Justin, Julian, Jade, and Jasmine; goddaughter, Linda; as well as a host of relatives and friends.