Joan Allen of Sedro-Woolley died Easter Sunday, April 4, at the Carlson Care Adult Family Home in Bothell.
Born in New York City on June 11, 1923, she was the daughter of Irish immigrants William and Catherine Cahill. She grew up in a lively family on Long Island with her four brothers Brendan, Jack, Kevin, Frank, and sister Peg.
After completing her schooling and starting work in the City, she met a young naval airman from Sedro-Woolley, Glenn Allen. They were married March 11, 1943 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Malvern, New York.
After their marriage Joan lived at home for 7 months, and then she moved to military housing in San Diego. She moved to Sedro- Woolley in 1945 shortly before Glenn’s discharge from the Navy. When Glenn returned to Sedro-Woolley he took over the jewelry store from his recently deceased father, and Glenn and Joan operated Glenn Allen Jewelry from 1945 until 1988.
Joan loved her life and many friendships in Sedro-Woolley and said she never had any desire to return to NYC. In addition to her work in the store and raising a family, Joan was a member and served terms as president of the American Legion Auxillary and the Soroptimist Club. She enjoyed serving as an election observer and also enjoyed the friendship of those in her Birthday Club and also the Early Birds Bowling League. Of primary importance to Joan were her family and her church. She was an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church from 1945 through 2010. She was a supporter of the Mary Knoll Mission Association and also of the training of seminarians (two of her uncles were Catholic priests and three aunts religious sisters). She relished the role of Nana to her 18 grandchildren (and subsequently 22+ great-grandchildren) with unlimited attention, love, and sweets.
Joan is survived by her sister Margaret Danaher of Norwood, MA; sons John (Linda) and Glenn (Jill) of Sedro-Woolley, daughters Colleen (Bill) Brown of Tumwater and Kathi (Ken) Racus of Woodinville; sister-in-law Edith Allen of Sedro-Woolley; numerous nieces and nephews from Washington, Florida, Massachusetts, California, and Louisiana and the aforementioned grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Rosary will be recited at 10:30AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM on Friday, April 9, 2010 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sedro-Woolley with Father Martin Bourke, Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sedro-Woolley Soroptimist’s Walnut Tree, Immaculate Heart Fund, or a favorite charity (Human Life).
Hello, I didn’t know Joan, but she and my mother, Brendan Regina Cahill, were second cousins. I came across this Memorial while researching the Cahill family tree. It sounds like she was a wonderful woman, and I’m sorry for your loss.
Dear Kathi (& siblings),
I was so very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. What wonderful memories you have to help you through this time. May you find comfort in knowing how many others treasured those memories created by your mom (& dad) in Sedro-Woolley. Your mother loved all she encountered and was such a beloved part of the jewelry store. She lived her Christian faith and welcomed everyone. May you all be supported by each other and the wonderful gift of your mother… God Bless.
love,
Susan Jensen Pointer (Kathi’s friend and classmate)
Chuck, myself, and our children were so sorry to hear of Aunt Joan’s passing. My memories of her always include she and Aunt Peg giggling like schoolgirls whenever they got together. We are so lucky to be part of such a loving family.
With prayers and love to all,
Denise
Dear Cousins,
I am so sorry to hear the news of Aunt Joan. Though we only met a few times I have always felt close to her as I have to all my Cahill kin. She was so living and full of life and I know you will miss her so. We had a blast when she came to Fairhope, along with the Danahers, Uncle Bill & Aunt Ann, to celebrate Katie’s (my daughter) wedding. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. May God bless you all.
Love, Peggy
My condolences to all her family. I only met Joan once at our great-niece’s
wedding . Her sister Peg, and brother Bill were there too. We all sure had a wonderful 3 days together.
I know ya’ll will miss her a lot.
My thoughts and prayers are with you…………….Flossie
Kathi (and all of the Allen family)
I too have great memories of your mom and your family. Sedro wouldn’t have been Sedro without the Allen family. I am sorry for your loss as I know how hard it is to lose a parent. All the wonderful pieces of your mother will continue to live in the lives and personalities of each and every one of you and her legacy lives on. The best to you all.
Norma Lisherness
So sorry to hear of Joan’s death, after years of being part of the Cahill family(Iwas married to her youngest brother Frank) finally met her at my Grandaughter and her Great neice’s wedding in 1997 in Fairhope., Al. She was a lovely lady and I know the family will miss her dearly. God bless you all and my prayers are with you at this time. Ann Walters(Cahill) Brewton
Glenn and Family,
Sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of your sweet and wonderful mom. May family, friends and wonderful memories comfort you in the days ahead.
Kind Regards,
Toni
I fell for Glenn when I was 15 at the Burlington Roller Rink dances, but didn’t marry him until much later in life. Nana loved me like I had always been part of the Allen family. She was the BEST mother-in-law that anyone could ask for. My mom died in 1987, so when our daughter Justine was born, Nana was all she had for a grama. Nana was pretty lonely without her Glenn and Justine helped her get a “second wind” and keep her happy. Nana was a very generous and true Christian women. I thank God that I was able to share some of her, and be a part of her family.
Love Jill
Dear Allen Family:
I have such fond memories of Joan and Glenn, the Jewelry store and life in our very special small town of Sedro-Woolley. Joan was so helpful to the Bricka family (of course! She was a beautiful Joanie!). We would get wedding presents for every wedding that we went too from Glenn Allen Jewelry Store! She would help us pick our a lovely silver dish, and then get all the information for the engraving. It would be beautifully wrapped a few days later when me or my sisters would pick it up.
I will remember her laugh and her commitment to her family, friends and community. Sedro-Woolley is lucky that the dashing naval airman Allen met the beautiful Joanie Cahill that fateful day on the other seaboard and whisked her west to our part of the world.
Peace to you all. May God comfort you at this time of grief and loss.
We had such good times living next door to the Allen Family in Sedro Woolley. My Sister Judy and I often babysat and sometimes were treated to Joan’s yummy fudge! There were many trips between the houses with many shared holidays. I feel blessed to have had Joan in my life.
I feel honored to have married into the Allen family and to have spent time with such a wonderful woman. One great memory I have of Nana (I always called her Nana, too, even though she’s not really MY Nana) is once when Nick and I were coming back from a hiking trip or something, we stopped in to visit Nana. She fed us reindeer sausage and cheetos and candy, no doubt. Nick and I both fell asleep on the couches and I remember her covering me up and tiptoeing out of the room. She made everyone feel at home! I will miss her and so will my older kids (the younger ones don’t remember her, unfortunately). Love to all. Wish I could be there with you during this time.
Love, Sarah (and Jack, Maggie, Elizabeth and Emma)
Dear Glenn & family, I feel very blessed to have known your mom. I know how much she loved our family.
After all Joan was Godmother to many of our family members.(My sister, Alina & many of my cousins)
Even though I had Godparents, Joan still acted as one on my behalf. She always greeted us at church and always was interested in our lives. She kept tabs on us. I am thankful I got an opportunity to see her as she aged. She knew she loved me but wasn’t always sure what my name was but, she knew she loved me. I am also thankful for how much respect she showed my mom & dad. We were all blessed to have your dad & mom in our lives. I know for sure Joan traveled to Heaven on Angel’s Wings. Love and prayers to all of you.
Love always, Tina Schulze Rexroth
Glenn, Kathi and family, I am sorry to read of the passing of your mom. It is so hard when we lose our parents. I remember spending alot of time at your house just across the tracks from mine. Your mom was always so friendly and willing to talk.. Hang on to all your wonderful memories.
Love,
Patti
I will miss my beautiful Nana…she was a wonderful, loving individual who did so much for all of her grandchildren. So many memories spending time with her, listening to her stories about her girlhood in NY and her earlier times living in Sedro-Woolley. She always had time to sit, talk, and, most importantly, listen to what I had to say. My friends loved her, too, and she always had them call her “Nana”, too. So much love she had to share, and she will be sorely missed by many. I love you, Nana, and am glad that you are reunited with Grandpa again.
Hi Joan’s family: here’s a blast from your past! I remember all of you very well and especially your mother. She was a kick. We all had a lot of fun together. I’m sorry for your loss, but someday you will see her again and the rejoicing will be beautiful.
Lot of love to you all,
Kay
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Cyndi Wilcox Walters
WOW! So much to remember! The Allen Family was a big part of my life growing up in Sedro-Woolley. Kathi and I have been friends for many years and she has been a very dear friend. Hanging out at the allen house was never dull. In fact it was like a 3-ring circus and it was so much fun. Joan and Glenn both taught me how to swing a golf club in their back yard. Very happy people and fun to be around, making everyone feel like family. The Allen Family will always be a part of my memories. I am so fortunate to have had them in my life. God Bless Joan and Glenn as they come together again. I love you all.
Love Sally
Rest in Peace Nana and Great Nana. Watch over us like you always did in life.
Love
Tracy (granddaughter)
Jake, Ryan, and Brendan ( Great Grandsons)
Mom you are in God’s loving arms now, united with your family…….we will miss you, your sense of humor and that wonderful smile, however we are grateful that your suffering has ended. We will all be together someday…..until then, you are at peace and our hearts are full of love for you…….
Love Kathi