by Vince Streano
You wouldn’t pick him out of a crowd as being a hero. His stooped posture and slow, shuffling steps are a reflection of his 89 years of age.
You won’t read about his heroism in the local papers, or see an interview of him on CNN. He’s not a hero because of a split-second decision to rescue a child from a burning building, or because he preformed CPR on an accident victim.
No, Emmet Owens is a hero, in my eyes, for a much longer commitment. He’s a hero because of the extraordinary care he gave his beloved wife Betty during her 15-year battle with Parkinson’s.
Emmet and Betty have been our neighbors since we moved to Dewey Beach 20 years ago. The first time we met, they volunteered to mow our lawn because we hadn’t yet bought our lawn mower. That’s just the kind if neighbors they are.
The Owens moved into their house in 1967, and the following year Emmet retired from the Navy after 25 years of service and fighting in three wars. He then started his second career as a math teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School.
Emmet and Betty enjoyed playing golf together, and going to Reno on vacation. Together they volunteered for Meals On Wheels, first helping prepare the food, and then delivering it to the clients. They were also frequent volunteers at St. Mary Catholic Church, and Emmet helped seniors each tax season with their tax returns.
Fifteen years ago their world was turned upside down when Betty was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The news was devastating, but Emmet made a promise to care for Betty himself so she could remain at their home on the shores of Skagit Bay.
For the first couple of years after the diagnosis, their lives didn’t change all that much. Betty continued to plant her garden in the spring and make incredible candy for her family and neighbors each Christmas.
But as the years passed, Betty’s care became more complicated. Emmet would help Betty with her physical therapy, walking with her around the property, coaching her to put one foot in front of the other. He monitored her numerous medications, being sure she took the correct dosage at the proper times. As Betty’s motor skills eroded still further, he took over all the cooking and cleaning duties around the house.
Sometimes when we visited, you could see the frustration on Emmet’s face as he tried to coax Betty to eat, to stand or to take her medicine. But he never said a cross word. He was always patient and loving while helping her complete her tasks.
Seven years ago Betty fell and broke her hip. She was hospitalized for weeks, and then in a care facility for a couple of months of rehab. Every day Emmet drove to the hospital, or care facility, and sat by Betty’s side until evening.
Many people urged him to move Betty permanently to an assisted living home, but Emmet wouldn’t hear of it. After months of recuperation, Emmet took Betty back home. His one concession was that he got part-time help to assist with Betty’s care.
Over the next seven years Betty’s care became more physically demanding. Sometimes it would take Emmet 10 or 15 minutes of struggling to get Betty out of her wheel chair and into the car, so he could take her on a drive, or to lunch at the casino. But he kept his promise of keeping Betty in Dewey Beach where she wanted to be.
Last month Betty passed away at home with Emmet and their family by her side. What makes this story so special is the extraordinary
efforts Emmet took to fulfill his promise to Betty. His loving care and patience is a great example that everyone can admire. Emmet Owens, I salute you as my hero.
Is this really summer?
If it smells like summer, tastes like summer and feels like summer, than it must be summer! Wow, what a run of sunny days. From May 15 through June 7, I counted 20 sunny days out of 24, with the high temperatures ranging as high as 85 degrees.
Last year during that same period of time we had a scant seven sunny days. The weather service is forecasting this sunny weather to continue for another few days, and summer doesn’t even officially begin until the 21st.
May summary
May started off with a bang with our first 70 degree day of the year, then quickly reverted back to the usual gray rainy weather
for the next two weeks. But on the 15th someone must of accidentally hit the summer switch a little early as 15 of the last 17 days of the month were sunny. And talk about growing degree days. Remember through April we only had 40 GDD? As of June 7 our total has jumped to 230. I already have two red cherry tomatoes. I counted 17 days of sunshine in May, a month that averages only 12. And so far this year we are 23 sunny days ahead of last year.
