Catherine "Kay" Starr Owens

Catherine Starr Buchanan Owens better known as “Kay” Owens, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at her residence in Harlingen.
Kay was born in Morganfield, Kentucky on December 12, 1926 to Rose Starr and William Ross Buchanan. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Murray State University in 1947 and shortly after married John David Owens on May 30, 1947.
Kay lived and worked in Memphis, Tennessee, for Gulf Oil Corporation until completion of her husband, John’s dental education at the University of Tennessee in 1953. They then moved to Harlingen in 1953.
Kay was active in the Harlingen community where she served as President of the Harlingen Junior Service League and also served as President of the Rio Grande Valley Dental Auxiliary. She also was the owner and manager of Lila-Jean, Inc. a ladies fashion shop in Harlingen for 22 years until her retirement in 1991. She produced and directed ten benefit fashion shows for the American Cancer Society.
She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Owens Wright of Harlingen; granddaughter, Victoria Elizabeth Wright of Dallas; grandson, John Owens Kwiatkowski and his fiancé, Alicia Hayes Kerr and great grandson, Michael all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. John David Owens in 2013 and by a daughter, Ann Owens Kwiatkowski in 2016.
The family request that those desiring to do so may make memorial donations to the Harlingen Humane Society, 1106 Markowsky Ave, Harlingen, Texas 78550 or to the First United Methodist Church of Harlingen, 321 E. Harrison, Harlingen, Texas 78550.
Services for Kay will be private.