The élan and grace with which Jean Owen makes her way across the dance floor belies her years, and the illness with which she’s embattled.

Dance is Owen’s life; it’s also that to which the Oak Harbor resident largely credits her longevity, vitality and strength.

“I believe it, I believe my dancing has kept me going, kept me moving,” Owen said.

“As long as I keep dancing I’m going to be fine, even at 90.”

Owen celebrated her 90th birthday July 2 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, an occasion remarkable in its own right. But the event was particularly special for Owen due to the hundred or more family members and friends who orchestrated and attended the event to show their love and support for their beloved friend, relative and teacher.

Owen is undergoing treatment for breast and lung cancer, fighting determinedly and with a positive perspective that is, according to her many friends and family members, quite characteristic of her.

Despite the fatigue and other negative effects of the treatments, Owen still manages to attend her weekly line dance class at the Oak Harbor Senior Center as often as she is able.

Owen has taught the class for several years. And though she is presently relying on one of her students to substitute in her absence, she has no intention of stopping any time soon.

“I enjoy every minute of it. They’re kind of my lifeline,” Owen said of her students. “I enjoy being with them and they are just part of me.”

Though she has been an amateur dancer all her life, Owen never received formal instruction until attending a line dance class at her neighborhood senior center in Sequim about 10 years ago.

She was drawn in by the sound of the music, she recalled, and took up the dance as much for enjoyment as for her health. At the time, she was recovering from major heart surgery.

But soon dance became much more than a favored pass time and beneficial form of exercise; it became her life.

After moving to Whidbey in 2008, Owen continued her line dancing at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, and it wasn’t long before she began leading the class.

She also regularly attends community dances, including those at the Elks Lodge.

“If there’s a dance, she’s there,” said Betty Judd, a student in Owen’s class.

Like many of her cohorts, Marilyn Trout has danced with Owen for several years, and eagerly gave testimony to the inspiration and effectiveness of Owen’s tutelage.

“People who had two left feet are just dancing up a storm; she has patience you couldn’t believe,” Trout said.

Aside from the weekly classes at the senior center, the group of 20-25 regular dancers also perform a selection of numbers at locations like Regency on Whidbey, Harbor Towers and Summer Hill Assisted Living, among others.

A few of the residents of these facilities made their way to the lodge to take part in Owen’s birthday celebration.

“Anybody who knows her loves her,” Trout said.

Owen’s youngest daughter Paris Anglin commented that her mother’s gift in life is to be an inspiration to others.

“Her spirit is so infectious, she is a joy to have in life,” said another student of Owen’s.

The celebration was originally intended to take place at the senior center, but due to the large number of anticipated attendees it was relocated to the lodge.

“It was so beautiful and so great. It was just kind of overwhelming,” Owen remarked afterward. “I didn’t know I had so many friends, but I knew everybody there.”

“I’m hoping to get well and get myself in remission or whatever I do, and I’m going to go back to my class if I can,” Owen said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to…That’s what I live for, my class and my family.”