Bert Jeannette (Brooks) Owens, 84, died on Sept. 5, after a period of declining health, with her daughters by her side at home in Falmouth.

Bert was born on Dec. 20, 1939, in Memphis, Tenn. As a child she moved to Martha’s Vineyard, where she developed a deep affection for Oak Bluffs.

She graduated from Oak Bluffs High School in 1957 and briefly served in the U.S. Air Force before embarking on marriage and her subsequent career.

In the late 1960s, she settled in Falmouth with her two daughters and began her professional career. Her first job was with Bernice Jackson’s real estate office in Cotuit, which began a new life focused on raising her two daughters. 

She later worked with George Benway, who became a lifelong friend, at another real estate office. Mr. Benway co-signed her first mortgage at a time when women were not allowed to borrow money independently.

Bert transitioned to managing a law office in Hyannis in 1975, specializing in real estate law. In 1989, she became the public relations and director of development for the Cahoon Museum of American Art in Cotuit, where she thoroughly enjoyed working with the many volunteers.

Her last full-time role was as a property manager in Barnstable Village, where she cherished her work by the harbor, overlooking Sandy Neck.

Bert also enjoyed getting to know many of the tenants who became good friends during these years. In her later years, she continued to work part-time for attorney Ann Marie Grainger who also became a dear friend.

She retired from working at the beginning of 2020 with the onset of Covid 19.

A devoted mother and sister, Bert is survived by her daughters: Kim Michelle (Owens) Waren and her husband, Wayne Waren, of Cataumet, and Jennifer Owens and her husband, Dwight Douce, of West Falmouth; her sisters, Marsha Gay Madeiras Tobin of Arlington, Wash, and Judy Brooks Gamel of Victoria, MS; and her niece, Paige (Juckett) Schmelzer of Camano Island, Wash as well as many cousins and dear friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, Dorothy Jeanette (Fuller) Madeiras, Bailey Aubrey Brooks; her beloved stepfather, Francis Charles Madeiras; and her nephew, Christopher Brooks Carson.

Bert had a deep passion for animals, particularly cats, many of which she adopted from rescue organizations.

Graveside service to be held at Oak Grove Cemetery, Oak Bluffs on Oct. 10 at 12 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod, 2095 Main St, Brewster, MA, or People for Cats, 44 Beagle Ln, Teaticket, MA 02536.