<!-- FH = NATIONAL CREMATION & BURIAL SOCIETY -->BARBARA PERKINS OWENSJUNE 29, 2011Barbara Perkins Owens, 85, passed away on June 29, 2011 at Hope Hospice on Shell Point, due to complications of peritoneal cancer. She was born in Greensboro, N.C., the daughter of George and Hazel Perkins of Waterford, CT. After graduating from Williams Memorial Institute in New London, she attended the University of Connecticut earning the B.A. (sociology) and the M.A. (Social Work). Barbara is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert G. Owens, and two daughters: Shellie Owens Winter (Walter) of Seminole, FL and Sydney Owens of Brentwood, TN. She is also survived by two grandchildren: CPT Brian Winter, USA, currently serving in Iraq and Sharon Winter of Kissimmee, FL. She taught elementary school for a total of 29 years, retiring from the West Babylon (Long Island) School District after 24 years of service there. After retirement in 1990, she resided on Sanibel Island and later moved to Shell Point Retirement Community in 1997.Barbara became a member of the Sanibel Congregational Church UCC in 1990 and sang in the choir there until her death. As an active member of the Shell Point Community she shared her musical talents with the Shell Point Singers and played clarinet in a chamber music group there. A memorial service will be held at the Sanibel Congregational Church, UCC, at 1:15 p.m. on July 7th, with a reception to follow.In lieu of flowers, Barbara has requested that donations be made to either Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org) or Hope Hospice (http://www.hopehospice.org).Condolences may be offered at www.nationalcremation.com.