Aileen Owerko, a long-time resident of Raton, passed away on March 28th. She was ninety-five and had been residing at La Vida Llena Retirement Community, in Albuquerque, NM. An accomplished biologist, gifted teacher, wife, and mother, Aileen was born in Chicago in 1924 to parents Wilbur and Efrow Hibner.
After growing up in Belvidere, Illinois, Aileen went on to a achieve academic excellence (summa cum laude) in her chosen passion, biology, earning both a Bachelors degree from the University of New Mexico and a Masters from DePaul University, where she was chosen to serve as her graduating class Valedictorian.
Aileen married John Owerko, a mechanical engineer, in 1958 and they raised their two children, John and Carrie, in Raton. They both loved the Raton community, its people, mountains and beautiful surroundings. Avid skiers and beloved swimming instructors, they both taught generations of children to swim and serve as lifeguards. Aileen and John were inseparable. He passed away in 2011.
Besides the nature around her, Aileen loved poetry and could recite an extraordinary number of poems from memory. She especially loved Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg. She also had a special love for the Indiana Dunes, a place most dear to her.
She was laid to rest next to her beloved husband, John, on April 9th, at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
She is survived by her two children, John Owerko and Carrie Owerko, her daughter-in-law, JoEllen Owerko, son-in-law, Tom Harford, granddaughter, JoHanna Owerko, and cousin, Dorothy White.
In lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to the American Red Cross or show an act of kindness to someone in need.
Arrangements for Aileen Owerko are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.
