Nadine Syme Ferrin Owens

Nadine Syme Ferrin Owens, 88, passed away January 15, 2020.  She is the daughter of Darius Mathew Syme and Harriet Evaline Rollins, “Peakie and Ev”, of Lyman, Wyoming.  She married  Milton “Mick” Ferrin in the Salt Lake temple in 1949, and later married Glenn Owens in 1998, both whom preceded her in death.  She is survived by sons Vern Ferrin (Susan), Lynn Ferrin (Kathy), daughter Jan Mckay, sixteen grandchildren, and too many great-grandchildren to count. Also survived by Glenn's sons, Scott Owens (Linda), Kelly Owens (Laurel).  She was also preceded in death by her parents, brothers Marvin, Jay Cecil (Edie), & Richard (Joy & Sharon), sister Phyllis (Oliver & Raleigh) and Glenn's daughter, Nancy Ashcraft (Lawrence).

Nadine grew up in Lyman, Wyoming in the Bridger Valley, homesteaded by her pioneer grandparents.  She married her sweetheart, Mick, who she had known her entire life.  She loved sports, played basketball and volleyball.  She participated in several school plays, including the Mikado with Mick.  She was a cheerleader, a wonderful dancer, and had a beautiful singing voice.  Nadine was all about fun and consequently often in trouble with her uncle Les, the school superintendent.  She personified a girl who just wanted to have fun and everyone wanted to invite to their party.  She had a zest for life and FOMO (fear of missing out) before anyone had ever texted such a thing! She enjoyed most sports, but was an avid Jazz fan, known to couch coach them in ways that were better left unheard by her beloved team!

She went to BYU for a semester out of high school until Mick and his folks went down to retrieve her before someone else got away with her!  They were married and went into the service in Oklahoma from 1950-52 during the Korean conflict.  They had their first son there two months premature before moving back to the west and settling in Centerville, Utah where they raised their family.  They had another son three years later, then adopted a baby girl seven years after that.

Nadine was primarily a homemaker after she was married, but worked at the telephone office, café and Johnson hotel in Lyman growing up.  She knew how to work hard and took pride in taking care of her home and family.  She worked as a nutrition aide for the Utah State Extension Service teaching parents how to cook and care for their families to help pay for her sons’ missions.  She organized neighborhood sub-for-Santa drives for her extension families every year on her own to help them out, as well as summer camps for the children.

Nadine was lucky a second time and married again after Mick passed to Glenn Owens from Pocatello, Idaho.  They had nine wonderful years together and gave each other lots of companionship and love.  Glenn got her to do things no one else ever could have such as eating Mexican food, hot tubbing and going on cruises.  He came with three amazing children, their spouses and many grandchildren.  They loved to play cards and games together.  Nadine was thrilled that Glenn took over the cooking and the kitchen!

She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life.  She served in many Young Women and Primary presidencies, camp, sports and activities directors, and compassionate service.  Nadine was strong in her beliefs and would give someone the shirt off her back if they needed it more than she.  She was charitable and kind, and loved children, especially babies.  She was known for her light touch tickling the kids’ backs, not to mention  the adults who lined up.  She was playful, funny and fun, known to some as “crazy Aunt Nadine”.  Mick played her straight man all of their married life.  She is beloved by those who knew her.  There will be a little less joy and laughter in the world without her in it.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Picturesque Ward Chapel at 820 N. Valley View Dr. in St. George. There will be a Viewing held in her honor from 9:30 to 1030, prior to services at the Church.  Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery.