BRUNSWICK — Candace Catlin (Benjamin) Owen, 79, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at a Brunswick hospital surrounded by her family.

She was born in New York City on March 28, 1930, the daughter of William Wallace and Candace Woodruff Benjamin. She attended the Brearly School, Westover School, Mills College and graduated from Barnard College. Following graduation she worked for Time magazine as an editor trainee.

She married H. Martyn Owen and lived in Yokosuka, Japan, where her husband served in the U.S. Navy. Following her husband’s service, they moved to Simsbury, Conn., where she raised three children. During this time she also worked as a program writer for the Hartford (Conn.) Community Renewal Program, received her master’s degree at the University of Connecticut and served as the therapeutic recreation director at Church Home Inc.

In addition to her parenting and professional roles, she volunteered as a researcher for the Community Council of the Capitol Region and Child and Family Services in Hartford, and served on the boards of the Connecticut Halfway House, Armsmear House, the Westminster School in Simsbury and the Westover School in Middlebury, Conn.

She loved spending time in Maine where her family owned a house at Small Point in Phippsburg. She spent many summers with family and friends enjoying the coast. She especially enjoyed walks on the beach searching for the perfect sand dollar and doting over her grandchildren.

In 1996 the Owens relocated to Brunswick to be closer to the Mid-coast area they loved and made their permanent home at Thornton Oaks where she stayed involved in civic and educational matters. She served as a volunteer at the Respite program and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

She was predeceased by her sister, Barbara Dorrance.

Survivors include her loving husband of 57 years, H. Martyn Owen of Brunswick; their three children, Leslie of Olympia, Wash., Peter of Durham, and Douglas and his wife, Anne, of Denville, N.J.; as well as four nieces; six grandchildren; and five grandnieces.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Westover School, Alumnae/Development Office, P.O. Box 847, Middlebury, CT 06762.