TYLER, Texas — Peaches Owen, a woman whose generosity and compassion has impacted the health care and the community in East Texas, has died.
Owen and her husband lived a life of philanthropy. Supporting projects such as CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital.
"We have specialized treatments for valve disorders, specialized therapy for blockages in the heart, so the gift that they have given is a legacy that will continue to give on," said Deb Chelette, Vice President of Operations at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital.
In a letter shared with CBS19, a patient's wife wrote these words of gratitude to the Owens:
"Thank you for your great and generous gift. You and your husband have blessed the people of East Texas. Your legacy of love is saving lives. Your legacy of love will impact the lives of people for generations to come. We are so grateful.”
Chelette says Mrs. Owen would often encourage the staff at the Heart Hospital, reminding each employee of what makes the hospital special.
"Mrs. Owen would come up and check on our team every once and a while," Chelette remembered. "Our team regularly thanked Mr. and Mrs. Owen for this incredible building that we get to call our heart hospital, but she reminded us regularly that this building is only as good as the people serving in it."
From her favorite image depicted in the stain glass of the hospital's chapel to etchings of Peaches Owen and her late husband on the walls, Chelette says the images left behind by a woman who was a friend to all will live on for years to come.
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"This hospital has given gifts to many people across our community by giving them more days with their grand kids, more holidays, more special events," Chelette explained.
Peaches Owen's compassion was also shown in her continual involvement in other East Texas organizations and nonprofits, including the Literacy Council of Tyler, the Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County and UT Tyler's Cowan Arts Center.
"She really inspired our team to continue to strive to be better to bring greater care for our community," Chelette said. "She was really our inspiration and will continue to be our inspiration, because we will carry on that legacy for them and want to continue to make both Mr. and Mrs. Owen proud.”
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System released a statement Saturday afternoon about Mrs. Owen's passing:
“Mrs. Owen was a friend and constant encouragement to us for many years, and played a vital, lifesaving role in the lives of so many through her support of our mission and the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital,” said Chris Glenney, FACHE, Senior Vice President of Group Operations, CHRISTUS Health, Chief Executive Officer, CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas, President, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “She leaves a legacy behind that is cherished by every member of the leadership team, the physicians, Associates and countless patients whose lives have been forever changed for the better.”
“Not only did Mrs. Owen bring the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital to our Northeast Texas community, but she regularly reminded our teams that the building was only as good as the people who served in it. Peaches inspired our teams to be their very best, and we are both blessed and honored that Mr. and Mrs. Owen chose us to carry on the great legacy that they’ve left our community,” said Deb Chelette, RN, BSN, MHA, Vice President, Operations, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital.
“Peaches and Louis Owen have left Northeast Texas a tremendous legacy of love, compassion and healing that will continue to touch the lives of future generations. Perhaps providentially, Peaches passed from this world and rejoined her husband, Louis, exactly seven years to the very day of the opening of the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital,” said Scott Fossey, Vice President of Philanthropy, CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas, Louisiana & Southeast Texas. “Peaches’ infectious enthusiasm and passion to help others will never be forgotten by her extended CHRISTUS family within the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. The Owen family’s philanthropic generosity and compassionate desire to help the people of Northeast Texas will live on for generations. The hope and healing their gifts have and will continue to provide through their immediate family will impact families across Northeast Texas and this nation for decades to come as an extension of His healing ministry. Our prayers are with the entire family during this difficult time.”
A statement released by Dr. Michael Tidwell, the president of the University of Texas at Tyler reads:
"Peaches Owen leaves many great legacies, but they all focus on her endeavor to improve the lives of others be it physically through the creation of the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital or spiritually through her work with her church, St. Mary Magdalene. Her impact on The University of Texas at Tyler has helped enrich the lives of countless students and tens of thousands of Cowan Center patrons from across the nation. We were blessed to call her a friend, and our prayers are with her family."
Mrs. Owen is survived by three children, John and his wife, Rebecca; Louis Paul and his wife, Teresa; and Celeste Rekieta and her husband, Bob.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Flint. A Rosary service will follow the visitation.
Her funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the church with a graveside service afterward. A reception in Peaches Hall at the church will follow the graveside service.