Ann North

Ann Owen North Ann Elizabeth Owen North passed away on August 7th,2025 in Columbus, Ohio. Born at White Cross (Riverside) Hospital in Columbus, Ohio December 4th, 1950, to William Van Brocklin Owen Jr. and Jacqueline Bowsman Owen. Ann was predeceased by her sister Susan Owen and brother David Owen and her long-time partner of over 20 years Myron “Denny” Adams. She is survived by her sons Mark (Lindsay) and David (Lorin) North; and her stepchildren Chris and Kathy Adams, along with her six stepgrandchildren. She loved them all very much. Ann’s father was a career member of the Air Force, so her childhood was spent stationed all around the country. Ann graduated from high school in Virginia then earned a degree from William & Mary in science education. Ann married a military man out of college and continued to travel the globe on deployment, giving birth to her first son, Mark, in Germany and her second son, David, in Texas. Ann returned to her hometown of Columbus in 1987, where she resided until her passing. Ann was a loving, kind person, who genuinely cared about everyone she met, as a teacher, a librarian, and in her daily life. For many years she was a teacher in the juvenile corrections system, where she taught and nurtured students who were overlooked and underserved by society. She was passionate about her work helping incarcerated students but felt the toll of not being able to help them after they returned to society and she returned to the public school classroom. Ann was passionate about books. She returned to school and earned her Master’s Degree in Library Sciences. She loved to read, and to encourage others to find the books that would ignite their passion for reading. She served as a librarian with Columbus Public Schools until her retirement. Ann had a disarming warmth about her that extended to anyone whose life crossed paths with her. Ann also found community in local meetings of Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous. These groups became her support system that extended well beyond the meetings. She found strength and fulfillment in helping those struggling, whether they were members of recovery communities or incarcerated children neglected by society. Ann will be missed by so many whose lives she touched. Private memorial services will be held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kobacker House, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or the Jackie Owen Memorial Music Fund at First Congregational Church.

Ann North

December 4, 1950 - August 7, 2025