Brevard - Bonnie Lou Owen, 82, passed away October 5, 2023, at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

She was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Julius and Virginia Zwicker.  She attended school in Towson, Maryland and later graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1963.  She also attained a master's degree in social psychology from George Washington University in 1967.

Bonnie led a life of service, dedicated to her family, community, and country. Following college, Bonnie started her career working for the United States federal government in Washington, DC.  She held various jobs with increasing responsibilities at the Department of Health and Human Services as research psychologist with the Public Health Service and later as an Administrator for the National Center for Health Services Research and Development.  She later consulted as a social psychologist, providing management, marketing, and research services to federal agencies, universities, and management firms.

Following her and her husband's retirement, their family moved to Brevard, North Carolina to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the mountains and other attractions, including the Brevard Music Center.  Her hobbies included arts and crafts, genealogy, and travels to Europe, Latin America and the Pacific.  She also enjoyed flowers and watching cardinals and hummingbirds in the front yard.  She loved animals and was particularly fond of her golden doodle, Nicholas.  She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), where she served as a Regent.  She especially enjoyed US history projects involving kids from Transylvania County.  Her genealogy skills helped many people become members of the DAR.

Family was the most important thing in her life, and she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She fully participated in her children's education and athletic events.  In the summers, the family traveled throughout the United States and Canada.  In her later years, she enjoyed exploring new cultures in Europe and Latin America with her husband, son, and grandchildren.

Bonnie is survived by, John, her husband of 54 years; sons Christopher (Leigh Anne) of Gastonia, NC and Michael (Luz) of Brookhaven, GA; granddaughters Savannah, Clara, and Michaela; and grandsons Christopher Junior, Hunter, and William; and special friend Tracey Littleton.

The family will hold a private funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sharing House of Brevard, Tamassee DAR School of Tamassee, SC or another charity of your choice.

Moody-Connolly Funeral House and Crematory is servicing the family.