On January 28, 2026, Hildegard Margot Owens (nee Leiterman) passed away peacefully at her residence in Parkville, MD. She was the beloved wife of the late James Albert Owens; devoted mother of Marian Owens Clatterbaugh and her husband Jim, Julie Ann Little and her husband Bill, and Sue Owens Spoerl and her husband Ken; loving grandmother of Stephen Spoerl and Maria Bevans and her husband Nathan; cherished great-grandmother of James Bevans and Mary Bevans.

Hildegard was raised by West German immigrants Alois and Alma Leiterman and grew up in West Baltimore. She attended School No. 49 and graduated from Western High School in 1945.

She married in 1949, raising a family and staying active in her community as a member of The Homemaker's Club in Parkville. Education was extremely important to Hildegard, and she found rewarding outlets by teaching Sunday School for special education students, as well as Adult Bible Study (reading through the Bible several times!), at Hiss United Methodist Church in the 1960s and early 1970s, and by first volunteering, then taking a position as school secretary at Parkville Elementary School. She also volunteered for the local Girl Scouts troop as a "cookie mom" and served as president of the PTA at Parkville Elementary School.

When most people start thinking about the retirement phase of their life, Hildegard began furthering her education, first at Essex Community College (now Community College of Baltimore County) and completing her bachelor of arts degree in English at Loyola College in Maryland. Her goal was to teach, and she continued her education at Towson State College (now Towson University), earning her master's degree in Secondary Education. After earning her master's, Hildegard joined the adjunct faculty at Essex Community College, teaching remedial English, and working with students in the Writing Center there. She also taught Adult Education classes (Business Writing) and pre-GED classes at Parkville Senior High School, where she nurtured and inspired her students to the extent that some passed the GED test after completing just the pre-GED course. At age 70, Hildegard was offered a full-time position teaching English at Essex Community College, but at that point she was ready to enjoy her retirement.

Hildegard and Jim spent a wonderful retirement traveling and spending time with their grandchildren. They moved to Oak Crest Village, where they were both active, taking dancing classes together and, in Jim's case, taking lovely photographs on the Oak Crest property and at Longwood Gardens and Ladew Gardens. At Oak Crest, Hildegard was a member of the Resident's Advisory Council, crocheted countless prayer shawls for residents, and always had a vital group of friends to dine and play cards with. She also crocheted many baby blankets as baptismal gifts for young couples at Hiss Church.

Hildegard felt privileged and blessed to know her beloved grandchildren, Steve and Maria, as the wonderful adults they have become, and to welcome her two delightful great-grandchildren, James and Mary, into the family. She died peacefully, surrounded by family and knowing that she had made a difference in the lives of many people and was greatly loved by her family.

Service and interment will be private. A celebration of life to honor Hildegard will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if you would like, a contribution in her honor could be made to Helping Up Mission Center for Women & Children, 1216 E. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21202.