Rebecca "Becky" Jean (Smith) Owens

Rebecca “Becky” Owens of Laurel, MD went to be with her Lord on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at the age of 33. Becky was born on February 17, 1982 in Seattle, WA to Paul and Patti Smith.

She grew up in Renton, WA, a suburb of Seattle, with her parents and two younger sisters, Laura and Katherine. As a young girl, she enjoyed American Girl dolls and continued adding to her collection throughout her life. Becky participated in gymnastics, ballet, and Girl Scouts before discovering her passion for music, particularly the flute and piccolo. She began playing in elementary school and went on to earn band student of the year awards in both junior high and high school. She continued to take private flute lessons throughout her college years and it was a happy day when she purchased her custom-made Brannen flute. Becky attended Seattle Pacific University where she earned two degrees simultaneously: a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics. After completing her dietetics internship through Central Washington University and working as a Registered Dietitian in the Seattle area, Becky moved to Columbus, OH where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Music (Flute Performance) from The Ohio State University. During her time in Columbus, she worked as a Registered Dietitian at OhioHealth’s Grant Medical Center and as Substitute Piccolo for the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. It was Becky’s lifelong dream to play in a major symphony.

Becky was a “city girl” and was drawn to the East coast. After earning her master’s degree, Becky’s next big adventure was a move to the Baltimore area, where she was employed at Johns Hopkins Hospital as an inpatient Registered Dietitian. At Hopkins, she provided support for adult cystic fibrosis and pulmonary patients. In Becky’s words she was, “honored to work for the #1 hospital in the country.”

In 2011, Becky met the love of her life, Nathan Owens. They were married on April 21, 2012 and honeymooned in Italy. Becky was first diagnosed with cancer later that summer and underwent treatment in the fall. She achieved remission and it was hoped that with the passage of time she would be declared cured.

Becky and Nathan’s son, Colin, was born in late September 2014. A few short months later, it was discovered that Becky’s cancer had returned and metastasized. In addition to Nathan, Becky received much support from her in-laws, Rich and Lisa Owens of Cincinnati, OH, who temporarily relocated to Laurel to help care for her on a daily basis, as well as from her brother-in-law Christopher Owens and his wife, Tara, of Bowie, MD.

She is survived by her husband Nathan J. Owens and her son Colin A. Owens, parents Paul and Patti Smith of Renton, WA, sisters Laura (Shawn) Zickefoose of Redding, CA and Katherine Smith of Renton, WA, niece Emma Zickefoose, and nephew Noah Zickefoose, as well as numerous extended family members and friends. Becky was preceded in death by an older sister Erin Smith.

The family will receive friends during a casual gathering to celebrate Becky’s life at Crossroads Church, which meets at Annapolis Area Christian School, 109 Burns Crossing Rd, Severn, MD 21144 on Sunday, August 9, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, where Becky and Nathan were married, located at 5805 Main Street, Elkridge, MD 21075 on Monday, August 10, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Interment will be a private ceremony at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Becky’s name to the following charities:

Dr. Nishant Agrawal Otolaryngology Head & Neck Cancer
(Related to her illness)
Checks: Make payable to "JHU-OHNS", and in the memo section put "Dr. Nishant Agrawal’s Research

Send to:
Donna S. Clare, CFRE
Director of Development
Johns Hopkins Institutions
Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
601 North Caroline Street, 6th Floor, Room 6211
Baltimore, MD 21287

Online Donation: https://secure.jhu.edu/form/givenow
Designate your gift to other and in the memo section that follows, put:
“In memory of Becky Owens for Dr. Nishant Agrawal Research”

*****************************************************************

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
(Related to her profession)
6931 Arlington Road, Suite 200
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Or Online: http://www.cff.org/GetInvolved/ManyWaysToGive/MakeADonation/

*****************************************************************

National Flute Association, Francis Blaisdell Fund
(Related to her music vocation)
(Provides a scholarship for a high school or undergraduate student with financial need to attend the National Convention)
Dedication: In Memory of Becky Owens
The National Flute Association
70 E. Lake Street, #200
Chicago, IL 60601
Online Donation: http://www.nfaonline.org/Giving/Contribute2.aspx?ProductID=262