Suzanne Ruth Owens

On January 24, 2025, Suzanne Ruth Owens passed away in her sleep after fighting Alzheimer’s Disease over the past 16 years. She leaves the world a little less bright but infinitely richer for her presence. Born in Ontario, Canada on April 17, 1937, Suzanne's life was a testament to her smart, dedicated, creative, and talented spirit. She received her BA from the University of Western Ontario and attended the Guildhall of Music and Drama in London, England. She was a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy supported by the Joseph E. Levine Scholarship in 1967. She lived life in vibrant color, always seeking out the beauty and hope in the world around her. 

From Toronto to London, Manhattan to Harvard and Littleton, she carved a path marked by intellectual curiosity and artistic expression, making a lasting impact on those whose lives she touched. 

 Suzanne was a beacon of knowledge and creativity, and left her mark in theatre, poetry and visual arts. Early in her career, Suzanne worked as an actress in England, Canada, and the United States with featured roles in theatre, television, film, and radio. She earned roles such as Beauty in Beauty and the Beast, Jorinda in Jorinda and Joringel, and starred in the Canadian Daily Half Hour Serial titled Scarlett Hill. 

 After having children, she spent time immersed in the visual arts with batik and painting. Later in her career she went to earn her MFA in writing from Emerson College in Boston in 1990, and lectured as faculty at Fitchburg State and Salem State College. Her talent was recognized with prestigious accolades, including the 1996 Frank Cat Press Chapbook award for Theatre Poems and the A. Poulin Jr. New Poets of America Series prize in 2000. Her passion for poetry bloomed with her book The Daughters of Discordia released by BOA Editor. She was widely-published in literary journals including Ploughshares, Mississippi Review, Nimrod, and Ontario Review. 

 In addition to her accomplishments as an artist and educator, Suzanne remained grounded in her love for her family. She was a warm and caring mother with sage advice that always seemed to be at the right time and place. She travelled extensively with her children to places like Greece, Italy, Russia, and St. Thomas. She is survived by her daughter, Evangelene Kennedy and husband Matthew, her son, Cullen Owens and wife Adeline, her sister, Georgia Wickett, and her four cherished grandchildren, Chloe and Amelia Kennedy, and August and Theodore Owens. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cullen and Evelyn Bryant and her sister Cullene Bryant. The memories of her warmth, her wisdom, and the love she held for them will live on, a comforting legacy in this time of loss. 

A visitation from 4-5pm and celebration of life from 5-6pm will take place on Tuesday, 28 Jan 2025 at Badger Funeral Homes, 347 King Street, Littleton, Massachusetts, 01460. We invite you to join us in celebrating Suzanne’s extraordinary life.

Arrangements are under the care of Badger Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, 347 King St. Littleton, MA 01460.