PASSAGES: BAKERY CO-OWNER ROSEMARY JUNE OWENS, 1926-2014

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February 14, 2014 (El Cajon)-Rosemary June Owens, who co-owned Howard’s Bakery in El Cajon, was a popular figure in El Cajon for many years, serving sweets and specialties for occasions from weddings to graduations.  She passed away peacefully in her home with her loving husband of 53 years, Howard, by her side.

Rosemary fought a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, after beating breast cancer twice over a 30-year span.

Born in San Diego on November 23, 1926, Rosemary was a single mother of her  three Walker boys for several years until she met her husband, Howard B. Owens, Jr at Heavenly Donuts in San Diego, Ca where they were both employed.

They married in 1960 and had a son together, Howard B. Owens III.

In 1976, they moved to El Cajon, where they opened Howard's Bakery in 1978. The bakery became a mainstay for the families of East San Diego County, providing many wedding and graduation cakes and supplying the pies and pastries that made holidays and gatherings so special.

They successfully owned and operated the bakery for 18 years. After their retirement, they enjoyed traveling together.  In 2005, they moved to Bakersfield, Ca to be near their sons, Larry & Howard III.

Rosemary loved to cook for her family and will be remembered for her countless recipes and talent in the kitchen.  Family members say she was the epitome of class and beauty and was always dressed to impress with perfect hair and nails.  Rosemary's many hobbies included reading, needlepoint, crochet, knitting and hand-crafted Christmas ornaments.

“In the 1980s/’90s, my parents were perhaps the most famous/popular people in El Cajon, all because of the bakery,” the couple’s son, Howard III, recalls. Now in Batavia, New York, he added, “As a reporter in East County, my name alone opened a lot of doors to sources that I might not otherwise have gotten.I mentioned that to a reporter working in Riverside who was from El Cajon and he said, "Of course. Your parents are the closest thing to royalty El Cajon has."

Rosemary is survived by her husband, Howard B. Owens, Jr., her three sons and their wives, Don and Judie, Larry & Yong, and Howard III & Billie, Step-Daughter Connie Kirkpatrick and Step-Son Vernon Owens along with her 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her son, Major USAF retired Robert A. Walker who recently passed away on February 5, 2014 after a very short battle with brain cancer.

The entire Owens and Walker families would like to thank Optimal Hospice and especially Wendy Villatoro from Interim healthcare for her exceptional and compassionate service.

Rosemary’s funeral will be Feb. 22 in Bakersfield. Further details are pending. A celebration of life will be held at the family residence immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, your donations to the Alzheimer's Association of Kern County are greatly appreciated. (www.ADAKC.co


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