Olga Marie Owen (Kolbol)

Olga Marie “Oggie” Owen, 95, of Hope, N.J., and Princeton, Maine, passed away Saturday, May 13, in Princeton.

Oggie was blessed with a full life. One of 10 children in a Hungarian coal mining family, she was born Jan. 1, 1922, in Munson, Penn., to Stephen and Mary Kolbol. The family later moved to Wharton, N.J., where she spent most of her unforgettable and much-talked-about childhood. She met her late husband, Robert Owen, while they were both serving their country at Picatinny Arsenal during World War II.

After settling in Hope, N.J., and starting a family, Oggie was very involved in the community, spending time volunteering as a Girl Scout leader, at the volunteer fire department auxiliary, the PTO and the Hope Community Center. She loved playing spirited card games with her friends and family, watching her favorite Mets win and lose, and planning and decorating for the holidays. Oggie divided her time between New Jersey and Maine; an avid outdoorswoman, she loved time spent ice fishing and snowmobiling at her camp in Topsfield. Eventually, at the age of 89, she moved permanently to Maine to be nearer to her daughters.

Oggie is survived by daughters Dayle M. Owen of Talmadge, Maine, and Mary Lee Owen Gibisser of Princeton; her two granddaughters Brooke Herb Mercier and husband Pete of Princeton, and Brodie Herb Friesen and husband Greg of Providence, R.I.; five great grandchildren (and one on the way) who always made her smile, Maeryn, Nathanael, Lillian, Michael and Tessa; cherished nieces and nephews; her compassionate caregiver, Karen Tompkins of Perry, Maine, and many lifetime friends from her Bridge club in Hope and her neighbors and friends from LaGrange in Princeton.

She is predeceased by her husband, Robert; her daughter, Bobbie Jeanne “B.J.” Owen; and her nine beloved brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be held at Newbaker’s Funeral Home on Sunday, May 21, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Newbaker’s Funeral Home, Blairstown, N.J. on Monday, May 22, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Hope Moravian Cemetery, next to St. John’s United Methodist Church in Hope, N.J., followed by a repast at St. John’s fellowship hall.

Memorial donations may be made to H.O.P.E., PO Box 181, Hope, N.J. 07844 or Hope Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 170, Hope, N.J. 07844.

In her memory, the most wonderful thing you could do is enjoy the great outdoors, play a good game of Pinochle or spend precious time celebrating your family.

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