Celebrating Penny Owens' legacy with a snake patrol tribute

Har-Lyn Neighbourhood Watch (NW) held a tribute to its late former member, Penny Owens, by organising a snake patrol on Tuesday, November 25.

Har-Lyn NW were joined by members of Claremont police, Claremont Community Policing Forum (CPF) and patrollers from different private security companies. Around 40 vehicles drove in convoy through Kenilworth and Claremont with their lights on to pay tribute to Ms Owens, who was one of the founding members of Har-Lyn NW.

The convoy of vehicles ended up at Ms Owens’s residence, where people were placing ribbons on her gate, and gave the family flowers.

Ms Owens, from Claremont, died at the age of 64 on Monday, November 17, after battling cancer, according to her family. Ms Owens was the youngest of four siblings, and she had a career in the travel and hospitality industry.

Though Ms Owens had always been involved in community service, she was part of Har-Lyn NW Watch for 16 years and also started the Thomson Neighbourhood Watch Bicycle Patrol in 1991.

Ms Owens' daughter, Chelsea Owens, said her mother was always community-driven. “ She was instrumental in getting many people in the neighbourhood involved in activities like neighbourhood cleanups, safety and security,” she said.

Former long-serving chairperson of Har-Lyn NW, Derek Bluck, left a tribute for Ms Owens, which he shared with the family.

In his tribute, he said, “Penny Owens, your passing leaves an undeniable void. You have been a cherished friend, a colleague and a true stalwart of our community. You became a beacon in our neighbourhood, a valiant defender of the feminine cause and a formidable force in the fight against crime.”

Current Har-Lyn NW chairperson, Darren Bond said they organised this snake patrol in her honour. “Penny was a fierce fighter for the community, tonight was in honour of her, for what she has done for our area, the NW, and the patrollers,” he said. Mr Bond said this snake patrol throughout the entire community was for the neighbourhood to see the strong force of the NW and it was their way of honouring her memory.

Claremont CPF chairperson, Carla Williams said Ms Owens served her community with unwavering dedication for many years, and she leaves behind a legacy of compassion, commitment, and excellence. “We will always remember Penny for who she was and what she stood for, and we remain committed to continuing the work she so passionately carried out,” she said.

Ms Owens is survived by her husband, Ed Owens, daughters, Jessica and Chelsea Owens and one grandchild.

The Owens family has indicated that they will hold a memorial service early next month.