Christian Grim & Mary Morgan - Person Sheet
Christian Grim & Mary Morgan - Person Sheet
NameDortha Louise GRIM 
725
725BirthDec 16, 1933, Waynesburg, Greene Co., PA725
DeathJan 9, 2001, Jacksonville, FL725
FatherJohn Newton GRIM (1910-1994)
MotherHarriet BROWN (1909-1991)
Misc. Notes
Obituary, Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, FL), online edition (www.jacksonville.com)
“OWENS - Dortha Owens. Widely respected musician and vocalist Dortha Louise Owens has passed away after an extended illness. Noted as a choir director, organist and soloist for some of the leading churches of Jacksonville and Palatka in Florida, Mrs. Owens was also a powerful and eloquent operatic vocalist and long-term vocal teacher. Daughter of the late John and Harriet Grim, she was born to her earthly life in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1933, and born to Eternal Life in Jacksonville on January 9, 2001. Mrs. Owens began her musical studies with Walter F. Gray, of Waynesburg, PA, and later, when Mrs. Owens was a student at The Baptist Institute for Christian Workers, she studied organ with professors from Westminster Choir College. Mrs. Owens also studied organ in Jacksonville-with Ms. Gerrevieve McMurry, who was for more than 50 years organist of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and with Mr. Andrew Clarke, organist of Riverside Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Owens began her vocal study in Waynesburg, PA with The Rev. Theodore Rich, who had previously been under contract to the Metropolitan Opera. During her years at The Baptist Institute, she studied voice with Madame Eufemia Gregory, of the Curtis Institute. After her move to Florida, she studied with Amelia Smith, of the Jacksonville Opera Repertory Group. Operatic experiences with Mrs. Smith gave Mrs. Owens the rare opportunities of singing on-stage with Irene Jordan, of the Metropolitan Opera and with Joshua Hecht, of the New York City Opera. Mrs. Owens studied voice for 25 years. She appeared in many operas and operettas and was also employed as professional soloist for First Presbyterian Church and for St. Johns Cathedral, both in Jacksonville. In 1959, Mrs. Owens converted to the Roman Catholic faith. She served as organist for many Jacksonville Churches. In 1961, she began as early Mass organist for Immaculate Conception Church. For four years she was organist for St. Pauls Catholic Church in Riverside. She returned to Immaculate Conception in 1986 and served a further period of about eight years. During her tenure there, a professional recording of the choir was made. In 1996, Mrs. Owens felt called by The Lord to serve at St. Monica Catholic Church in Palatka, where she enjoyed her work with the choir at the 11:00 AM Mass, and for other occasions when (in her own words) pulling out all the stops was needed. For many years Mrs. Owens maintained the Dortha Owens Vocal Studio in her Riverside home, until she became ill, forcing her to retire from teaching voice. Mrs. Owens was a former member of the National Association of Music Therapists, the Jacksonville Concert Chorale and the Friday Musicale of Jacksonville. While her health permitted, she remained an active member of the Recycles Orchestra, playing tenor saxophone, and of the American Guild of Organists, Jacksonville Chapter. Much-loved survivors of Mrs. Owens include her husband, Otis B. Owens, her sister, Jacqueline (Jackie) Blaker, of Waynesburg, PA, two step-children, Eduardo and Felicia Owens, numerous cherished nephews and nieces and a vast number of friends, former students and spiritual and professional assoiciates. A beloved third step-child, David Michael Owens, sorrowfully preceded Mrs. Owens in death in 1998. A Memorial Service will be held for Mrs. Owens at 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 24, 2001 (TOMORROW), at Immaculate Conception Church, 121 East Duval Street, Jacksonville, with Pastor The Rev. Father Antonio Leon officiating, assisted by The Rev. Father Warren Keene, of Immaculate Conception, as well as by Monsignor Daniel B. Logan, Pastor, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and The Rev. Father James Corry, Associate Pastor, St. Pauls Catholic Church, Riverside. A Rosary and Praise gathering will be held (on a date yet to be announced) in the River Room of Florida Christian Home, Stockton Street, Riverside, where Dortha was gratefully made to feel we are family here during the closing months of her earthly life. Heartfelt thanks to clergy, friends and all others who lovingly attended Dortha during her illness, and to all those who shared and celebrated her diligent, dedicated and faith-filled life. ETERNITY FUNERAL HOME, 1650 Art Museum Dr., Jax. Fl. Guest Book at www.eternityfuneralhome.com.”
“OWENS - Dortha Owens. Widely respected musician and vocalist Dortha Louise Owens has passed away after an extended illness. Noted as a choir director, organist and soloist for some of the leading churches of Jacksonville and Palatka in Florida, Mrs. Owens was also a powerful and eloquent operatic vocalist and long-term vocal teacher. Daughter of the late John and Harriet Grim, she was born to her earthly life in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1933, and born to Eternal Life in Jacksonville on January 9, 2001. Mrs. Owens began her musical studies with Walter F. Gray, of Waynesburg, PA, and later, when Mrs. Owens was a student at The Baptist Institute for Christian Workers, she studied organ with professors from Westminster Choir College. Mrs. Owens also studied organ in Jacksonville-with Ms. Gerrevieve McMurry, who was for more than 50 years organist of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and with Mr. Andrew Clarke, organist of Riverside Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Owens began her vocal study in Waynesburg, PA with The Rev. Theodore Rich, who had previously been under contract to the Metropolitan Opera. During her years at The Baptist Institute, she studied voice with Madame Eufemia Gregory, of the Curtis Institute. After her move to Florida, she studied with Amelia Smith, of the Jacksonville Opera Repertory Group. Operatic experiences with Mrs. Smith gave Mrs. Owens the rare opportunities of singing on-stage with Irene Jordan, of the Metropolitan Opera and with Joshua Hecht, of the New York City Opera. Mrs. Owens studied voice for 25 years. She appeared in many operas and operettas and was also employed as professional soloist for First Presbyterian Church and for St. Johns Cathedral, both in Jacksonville. In 1959, Mrs. Owens converted to the Roman Catholic faith. She served as organist for many Jacksonville Churches. In 1961, she began as early Mass organist for Immaculate Conception Church. For four years she was organist for St. Pauls Catholic Church in Riverside. She returned to Immaculate Conception in 1986 and served a further period of about eight years. During her tenure there, a professional recording of the choir was made. In 1996, Mrs. Owens felt called by The Lord to serve at St. Monica Catholic Church in Palatka, where she enjoyed her work with the choir at the 11:00 AM Mass, and for other occasions when (in her own words) pulling out all the stops was needed. For many years Mrs. Owens maintained the Dortha Owens Vocal Studio in her Riverside home, until she became ill, forcing her to retire from teaching voice. Mrs. Owens was a former member of the National Association of Music Therapists, the Jacksonville Concert Chorale and the Friday Musicale of Jacksonville. While her health permitted, she remained an active member of the Recycles Orchestra, playing tenor saxophone, and of the American Guild of Organists, Jacksonville Chapter. Much-loved survivors of Mrs. Owens include her husband, Otis B. Owens, her sister, Jacqueline (Jackie) Blaker, of Waynesburg, PA, two step-children, Eduardo and Felicia Owens, numerous cherished nephews and nieces and a vast number of friends, former students and spiritual and professional assoiciates. A beloved third step-child, David Michael Owens, sorrowfully preceded Mrs. Owens in death in 1998. A Memorial Service will be held for Mrs. Owens at 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 24, 2001 (TOMORROW), at Immaculate Conception Church, 121 East Duval Street, Jacksonville, with Pastor The Rev. Father Antonio Leon officiating, assisted by The Rev. Father Warren Keene, of Immaculate Conception, as well as by Monsignor Daniel B. Logan, Pastor, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and The Rev. Father James Corry, Associate Pastor, St. Pauls Catholic Church, Riverside. A Rosary and Praise gathering will be held (on a date yet to be announced) in the River Room of Florida Christian Home, Stockton Street, Riverside, where Dortha was gratefully made to feel we are family here during the closing months of her earthly life. Heartfelt thanks to clergy, friends and all others who lovingly attended Dortha during her illness, and to all those who shared and celebrated her diligent, dedicated and faith-filled life. ETERNITY FUNERAL HOME, 1650 Art Museum Dr., Jax. Fl. Guest Book at www.eternityfuneralhome.com.”