Mrs. Anita B. Owens Orf

Anita Bernardin Owens Orf, 93, passed away on March 1, 2025, in her home. She was born to Italian immigrants, Severino and Lina Bernardin in Columbia SC on April 28, 1931. Anita graduated from Ursuline High School in 1949. She attended the University of South Carolina where she met her “Yankee” husband, Edward Francis Owens at the CSO (Catholic Student Organization). They married in 1951. Her first and foremost ambition in life was to be a mother. She was a wonderful, gentle mother, nurturing each of her seven children toward their individual ambitions and lovingly doting on her grandchildren. She was a very talented seamstress, pianist, and wild animal rescuer. She also supported her husband’s land surveying business as the administrative manager. Later in life at the age of 49, she went back to school and earned her Associate in Science degree from the University of South Carolina. She worked as an accountant for several companies with the longest tenure being at SC Blue Cross Blue Shield. Through the years, she also worked as a wedding planner and caterer - after all, she had six girls to marry off. At the age of 64, years after the passing of her husband, Ed, she was lucky to fall in love a second time with Richard Orf, who would become her cherished and supportive husband. They shared an active, adventure-filled life, caring for each other until his passing in 2021. Anita was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church where she volunteered on the Altar Society and the Seniors Support group. Her favorite volunteer position, however, was working at the Gift Shop at Providence Hospital, accumulating over 5000 hours of service. Anita is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, brother John Bernardin, and sons-in-law Roger Botwin and Barry Culler. She is survived by her children: Kathy Botwin, Anne Culler, Edward Owens Jr. (Lilli Hutto), Susan Bradley (Thom), Jeanne Piehl (Fred), Linda Leonardi (Daniel), Deborah Rowe (Dennis); grandchildren: Matthew Botwin, Anita Culler, Elizabeth Culler (Alan Bryant), Edward Owens III (Kristy), Severin Piehl (Cassandra), Jennifer Botwin Kent (Jesse), Tyler Piehl, Kasey Culler Owens (Wesley), Emily Owens (D), William Culler, Ryan Rowe, Kathryn Leonardi, Savannah Bradley Wirthlin (Adam), John Rowe, Danielle Leonardi, Dennis Rowe, and 6 great grandchildren. The Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Orf will be held on Monday, March 10th, at 10 o’clock, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine St, Columbia, SC. A rosary will be held on Sunday evening at 5 o’clock, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC, followed by visitation with the family until 7 o’clock. For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76NYFm7xZHA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MUSC Heart and Vascular Center at the Providence Hospital https://giving.musc.edu/heart.

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Mrs. Anita B. Owens Orf

April 28, 1931 - March 1, 2025