Ellen Claire Allen
June 12, 1930 - January 4, 2023
Lexington, Kentucky
Ellen Claire Allen, 92, of Lexington, died peacefully on January 4, 2023, following a short illness. The youngest of three daughters, Ellen was born on June 12, 1930, in Lexington, Kentucky, to William Ray Allen of Ossian, Indiana (zoology professor at the University of Kentucky) and Lura Belle Devin of Petoka, Indiana. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Jane Allen Jackson (William B.) of Lexington and Barbara Allen Olson of Petoskey, Michigan; a niece, Jan Jackson, and a nephew, Rich Jackson. She is survived by her nephews, Jeff Olson (Lynnette) and Dave Olson (Jennifer); her niece Katrina Jackson Styles (Tom); her great nieces Lauren Olson Brinkel (Brett) and Katelyn Olson Schoenith (Dustin); her great nephew, Trevor Olson (Meghan); her great-great nieces, Sydney Styles and Ella Schoenith; and several cousins on both sides of her family. Also surviving her are a host of friends, including many former students and colleagues, and longtime friend and companion, Jane Stanger, and Jane's extended family, the Woodruffs and the Taits. Her funeral service, led by Rev. Matt Falco, was held on January 14 at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Ossian, Indiana, on January 16.
Ellen's cherished memories of growing up in the old Clifton Avenue neighborhood (now the site of the W.T. Young Library) included her close friendships with neighbors, her days at Maxwell Elementary, Morton Junior High School and Henry Clay High School, where she played the cello and developed an enduring appreciation of music, and her participation with the Girl Scouts (Kentucky's Wilderness Road) as a member, and later, a troop leader. During these years, a love of nature and travel was instilled in Ellen by her parents, and her love affair with Sham, the family's cocker spaniel, prefaced her loyal affection for six more furry companions over the years. Also, as living through the Great Depression and the Second World War affected so many people of that generation, those events occurring during her childhood had a profound influence on shaping her thoughts as an adult about her country and its role in the world.
In 1948, she graduated from Henry Clay High School, earned a Bachelor's Degree in history from the University of Kentucky in 1952 and a Master's Degree in library science the following year. She taught social studies at Lexington Junior High School for a short time prior to her twenty-four-year tenure as a history teacher at her beloved alma mater, Henry Clay, beginning in 1960. Her classes, which innovatively challenged her students to learn from the past as they grew into citizens of the future, included world, U. S., Kentucky and Lexington histories, with a special interest in global studies and international relations. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she served as Student Council sponsor and organized the Young Historians Club, which began an ongoing project of collecting Henry Clay memorabilia and archival papers (many of which she donated), and are presently stored in the Margaret I. King Library at the University of Kentucky. At the time of her retirement in 1984, she was honored with the first Henry Clay Outstanding Teacher Award and later, in 2005, was inducted into the Henry Clay Hall of Fame. After her retirement, she also processed the Otis A. Singletary papers (U. K. Special Collections), developed and taught a Kentucky history correspondence course for U. K. Independent Studies, collected her father, Dr. W. R. Allen's papers and distributed them among the University of Kentucky, Indiana University, and Ft. Wayne (Indiana) public libraries, and was an active member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (women teachers organization), serving offices at both the chapter and state levels.
A faithful and loving Christian, Ellen was a member of Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church for over seventy-five years. There, she was active in Westminster Fellowship, Chancel Choir, Presbyterian Women, the church archives, and served terms as deacon and elder. Also, she delivered food for Meals on Wheels through Second Presbyterian Church. Always a willing volunteer, her services to her church community were invaluable.
One of Ellen's favorite pastimes was traveling, both throughout the U. S. and overseas, often with her sister Barb. Her first of nine trips to England was in 1953 to meet her English pen pal and attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (outside bleachers!).
Central in Ellen's life was her relationship with her mother, and it became even more so upon the death of her father in 1955. She and "Hearty" (as she affectionately called her mother) continued to maintain the family homestead on Clifton where together they enjoyed gardening, birding, and traveling with friends and family until the property was purchased by the University of Kentucky years later. For a time their cottage in Bay View (Petoskey, Michigan) provided much pleasure when they shared summers with sister Barb and family. In later years, she was happy to welcome sister Jane and family back to Lexington from California.
Ellen kept close family ties throughout her life and did extensive genealogical research on both sides of her family. A prolific note and letter writer (as well as a daily diary writer from 1948-2020), she nurtured lasting relationships with extended family, neighbors, church friends, classmates, students, student teachers and colleagues. She gifted them with her time and attention, quick wit and spunky sense of humor, kind words and encouraging support, and beautiful smile and genuine affection. All who knew this amazing lady of small stature and gentle demeanor loved her and were made better people by her huge heart and infectious spirit.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to all who befriended Ellen at The Lafayette for seven years, and, more recently, those who provided loving care at Lexington Country Place.
Contributions in her memory are suggested to Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, 180 East Maxwell Street, Lexington, KY 40508; Alice Lloyd College, 100 Purpose Road, Pippa Pippa Passes, KY 41844; or Frontier Nursing University, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383.
June 12, 1930 - January 4, 2023
Lexington, Kentucky
Ellen Claire Allen, 92, of Lexington, died peacefully on January 4, 2023, following a short illness. The youngest of three daughters, Ellen was born on June 12, 1930, in Lexington, Kentucky, to William Ray Allen of Ossian, Indiana (zoology professor at the University of Kentucky) and Lura Belle Devin of Petoka, Indiana. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Jane Allen Jackson (William B.) of Lexington and Barbara Allen Olson of Petoskey, Michigan; a niece, Jan Jackson, and a nephew, Rich Jackson. She is survived by her nephews, Jeff Olson (Lynnette) and Dave Olson (Jennifer); her niece Katrina Jackson Styles (Tom); her great nieces Lauren Olson Brinkel (Brett) and Katelyn Olson Schoenith (Dustin); her great nephew, Trevor Olson (Meghan); her great-great nieces, Sydney Styles and Ella Schoenith; and several cousins on both sides of her family. Also surviving her are a host of friends, including many former students and colleagues, and longtime friend and companion, Jane Stanger, and Jane's extended family, the Woodruffs and the Taits. Her funeral service, led by Rev. Matt Falco, was held on January 14 at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Ossian, Indiana, on January 16.
Ellen's cherished memories of growing up in the old Clifton Avenue neighborhood (now the site of the W.T. Young Library) included her close friendships with neighbors, her days at Maxwell Elementary, Morton Junior High School and Henry Clay High School, where she played the cello and developed an enduring appreciation of music, and her participation with the Girl Scouts (Kentucky's Wilderness Road) as a member, and later, a troop leader. During these years, a love of nature and travel was instilled in Ellen by her parents, and her love affair with Sham, the family's cocker spaniel, prefaced her loyal affection for six more furry companions over the years. Also, as living through the Great Depression and the Second World War affected so many people of that generation, those events occurring during her childhood had a profound influence on shaping her thoughts as an adult about her country and its role in the world.
In 1948, she graduated from Henry Clay High School, earned a Bachelor's Degree in history from the University of Kentucky in 1952 and a Master's Degree in library science the following year. She taught social studies at Lexington Junior High School for a short time prior to her twenty-four-year tenure as a history teacher at her beloved alma mater, Henry Clay, beginning in 1960. Her classes, which innovatively challenged her students to learn from the past as they grew into citizens of the future, included world, U. S., Kentucky and Lexington histories, with a special interest in global studies and international relations. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she served as Student Council sponsor and organized the Young Historians Club, which began an ongoing project of collecting Henry Clay memorabilia and archival papers (many of which she donated), and are presently stored in the Margaret I. King Library at the University of Kentucky. At the time of her retirement in 1984, she was honored with the first Henry Clay Outstanding Teacher Award and later, in 2005, was inducted into the Henry Clay Hall of Fame. After her retirement, she also processed the Otis A. Singletary papers (U. K. Special Collections), developed and taught a Kentucky history correspondence course for U. K. Independent Studies, collected her father, Dr. W. R. Allen's papers and distributed them among the University of Kentucky, Indiana University, and Ft. Wayne (Indiana) public libraries, and was an active member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (women teachers organization), serving offices at both the chapter and state levels.
A faithful and loving Christian, Ellen was a member of Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church for over seventy-five years. There, she was active in Westminster Fellowship, Chancel Choir, Presbyterian Women, the church archives, and served terms as deacon and elder. Also, she delivered food for Meals on Wheels through Second Presbyterian Church. Always a willing volunteer, her services to her church community were invaluable.
One of Ellen's favorite pastimes was traveling, both throughout the U. S. and overseas, often with her sister Barb. Her first of nine trips to England was in 1953 to meet her English pen pal and attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (outside bleachers!).
Central in Ellen's life was her relationship with her mother, and it became even more so upon the death of her father in 1955. She and "Hearty" (as she affectionately called her mother) continued to maintain the family homestead on Clifton where together they enjoyed gardening, birding, and traveling with friends and family until the property was purchased by the University of Kentucky years later. For a time their cottage in Bay View (Petoskey, Michigan) provided much pleasure when they shared summers with sister Barb and family. In later years, she was happy to welcome sister Jane and family back to Lexington from California.
Ellen kept close family ties throughout her life and did extensive genealogical research on both sides of her family. A prolific note and letter writer (as well as a daily diary writer from 1948-2020), she nurtured lasting relationships with extended family, neighbors, church friends, classmates, students, student teachers and colleagues. She gifted them with her time and attention, quick wit and spunky sense of humor, kind words and encouraging support, and beautiful smile and genuine affection. All who knew this amazing lady of small stature and gentle demeanor loved her and were made better people by her huge heart and infectious spirit.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to all who befriended Ellen at The Lafayette for seven years, and, more recently, those who provided loving care at Lexington Country Place.
Contributions in her memory are suggested to Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, 180 East Maxwell Street, Lexington, KY 40508; Alice Lloyd College, 100 Purpose Road, Pippa Pippa Passes, KY 41844; or Frontier Nursing University, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383.
Ellen Claire Allen
June 12, 1930 - January 4, 2023
Lexington, Kentucky
Ellen Claire Allen, 92, of Lexington, died peacefully on January 4, 2023, following a short illness. The youngest of three daughters, Ellen was born on June 12, 1930, in Lexington, Kentucky, to William Ray Allen of Ossian, Indiana (zoology professor at the University of Kentucky) and Lura Belle Devin of Petoka, Indiana. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Jane Allen Jackson (William B.) of Lexington and Barbara Allen Olson of Petoskey, Michigan; a niece, Jan Jackson, and a nephew, Rich Jackson. She is survived by her nephews, Jeff Olson (Lynnette) and Dave Olson (Jennifer); her niece Katrina Jackson Styles (Tom); her great nieces Lauren Olson Brinkel (Brett) and Katelyn Olson Schoenith (Dustin); her great nephew, Trevor Olson (Meghan); her great-great nieces, Sydney Styles and Ella Schoenith; and several cousins on both sides of her family. Also surviving her are a host of friends, including many former students and colleagues, and longtime friend and companion, Jane Stanger, and Jane's extended family, the Woodruffs and the Taits. Her funeral service, led by Rev. Matt Falco, was held on January 14 at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Ossian, Indiana, on January 16.
Ellen's cherished memories of growing up in the old Clifton Avenue neighborhood (now the site of the W.T. Young Library) included her close friendships with neighbors, her days at Maxwell Elementary, Morton Junior High School and Henry Clay High School, where she played the cello and developed an enduring appreciation of music, and her participation with the Girl Scouts (Kentucky's Wilderness Road) as a member, and later, a troop leader. During these years, a love of nature and travel was instilled in Ellen by her parents, and her love affair with Sham, the family's cocker spaniel, prefaced her loyal affection for six more furry companions over the years. Also, as living through the Great Depression and the Second World War affected so many people of that generation, those events occurring during her childhood had a profound influence on shaping her thoughts as an adult about her country and its role in the world.
In 1948, she graduated from Henry Clay High School, earned a Bachelor's Degree in history from the University of Kentucky in 1952 and a Master's Degree in library science the following year. She taught social studies at Lexington Junior High School for a short time prior to her twenty-four-year tenure as a history teacher at her beloved alma mater, Henry Clay, beginning in 1960. Her classes, which innovatively challenged her students to learn from the past as they grew into citizens of the future, included world, U. S., Kentucky and Lexington histories, with a special interest in global studies and international relations. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she served as Student Council sponsor and organized the Young Historians Club, which began an ongoing project of collecting Henry Clay memorabilia and archival papers (many of which she donated), and are presently stored in the Margaret I. King Library at the University of Kentucky. At the time of her retirement in 1984, she was honored with the first Henry Clay Outstanding Teacher Award and later, in 2005, was inducted into the Henry Clay Hall of Fame. After her retirement, she also processed the Otis A. Singletary papers (U. K. Special Collections), developed and taught a Kentucky history correspondence course for U. K. Independent Studies, collected her father, Dr. W. R. Allen's papers and distributed them among the University of Kentucky, Indiana University, and Ft. Wayne (Indiana) public libraries, and was an active member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (women teachers organization), serving offices at both the chapter and state levels.
A faithful and loving Christian, Ellen was a member of Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church for over seventy-five years. There, she was active in Westminster Fellowship, Chancel Choir, Presbyterian Women, the church archives, and served terms as deacon and elder. Also, she delivered food for Meals on Wheels through Second Presbyterian Church. Always a willing volunteer, her services to her church community were invaluable.
One of Ellen's favorite pastimes was traveling, both throughout the U. S. and overseas, often with her sister Barb. Her first of nine trips to England was in 1953 to meet her English pen pal and attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (outside bleachers!).
Central in Ellen's life was her relationship with her mother, and it became even more so upon the death of her father in 1955. She and "Hearty" (as she affectionately called her mother) continued to maintain the family homestead on Clifton where together they enjoyed gardening, birding, and traveling with friends and family until the property was purchased by the University of Kentucky years later. For a time their cottage in Bay View (Petoskey, Michigan) provided much pleasure when they shared summers with sister Barb and family. In later years, she was happy to welcome sister Jane and family back to Lexington from California.
Ellen kept close family ties throughout her life and did extensive genealogical research on both sides of her family. A prolific note and letter writer (as well as a daily diary writer from 1948-2020), she nurtured lasting relationships with extended family, neighbors, church friends, classmates, students, student teachers and colleagues. She gifted them with her time and attention, quick wit and spunky sense of humor, kind words and encouraging support, and beautiful smile and genuine affection. All who knew this amazing lady of small stature and gentle demeanor loved her and were made better people by her huge heart and infectious spirit.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to all who befriended Ellen at The Lafayette for seven years, and, more recently, those who provided loving care at Lexington Country Place.
Contributions in her memory are suggested to Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, 180 East Maxwell Street, Lexington, KY 40508; Alice Lloyd College, 100 Purpose Road, Pippa Pippa Passes, KY 41844; or Frontier Nursing University, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383.
June 12, 1930 - January 4, 2023
Lexington, Kentucky
Ellen Claire Allen, 92, of Lexington, died peacefully on January 4, 2023, following a short illness. The youngest of three daughters, Ellen was born on June 12, 1930, in Lexington, Kentucky, to William Ray Allen of Ossian, Indiana (zoology professor at the University of Kentucky) and Lura Belle Devin of Petoka, Indiana. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Jane Allen Jackson (William B.) of Lexington and Barbara Allen Olson of Petoskey, Michigan; a niece, Jan Jackson, and a nephew, Rich Jackson. She is survived by her nephews, Jeff Olson (Lynnette) and Dave Olson (Jennifer); her niece Katrina Jackson Styles (Tom); her great nieces Lauren Olson Brinkel (Brett) and Katelyn Olson Schoenith (Dustin); her great nephew, Trevor Olson (Meghan); her great-great nieces, Sydney Styles and Ella Schoenith; and several cousins on both sides of her family. Also surviving her are a host of friends, including many former students and colleagues, and longtime friend and companion, Jane Stanger, and Jane's extended family, the Woodruffs and the Taits. Her funeral service, led by Rev. Matt Falco, was held on January 14 at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Ossian, Indiana, on January 16.
Ellen's cherished memories of growing up in the old Clifton Avenue neighborhood (now the site of the W.T. Young Library) included her close friendships with neighbors, her days at Maxwell Elementary, Morton Junior High School and Henry Clay High School, where she played the cello and developed an enduring appreciation of music, and her participation with the Girl Scouts (Kentucky's Wilderness Road) as a member, and later, a troop leader. During these years, a love of nature and travel was instilled in Ellen by her parents, and her love affair with Sham, the family's cocker spaniel, prefaced her loyal affection for six more furry companions over the years. Also, as living through the Great Depression and the Second World War affected so many people of that generation, those events occurring during her childhood had a profound influence on shaping her thoughts as an adult about her country and its role in the world.
In 1948, she graduated from Henry Clay High School, earned a Bachelor's Degree in history from the University of Kentucky in 1952 and a Master's Degree in library science the following year. She taught social studies at Lexington Junior High School for a short time prior to her twenty-four-year tenure as a history teacher at her beloved alma mater, Henry Clay, beginning in 1960. Her classes, which innovatively challenged her students to learn from the past as they grew into citizens of the future, included world, U. S., Kentucky and Lexington histories, with a special interest in global studies and international relations. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she served as Student Council sponsor and organized the Young Historians Club, which began an ongoing project of collecting Henry Clay memorabilia and archival papers (many of which she donated), and are presently stored in the Margaret I. King Library at the University of Kentucky. At the time of her retirement in 1984, she was honored with the first Henry Clay Outstanding Teacher Award and later, in 2005, was inducted into the Henry Clay Hall of Fame. After her retirement, she also processed the Otis A. Singletary papers (U. K. Special Collections), developed and taught a Kentucky history correspondence course for U. K. Independent Studies, collected her father, Dr. W. R. Allen's papers and distributed them among the University of Kentucky, Indiana University, and Ft. Wayne (Indiana) public libraries, and was an active member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (women teachers organization), serving offices at both the chapter and state levels.
A faithful and loving Christian, Ellen was a member of Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church for over seventy-five years. There, she was active in Westminster Fellowship, Chancel Choir, Presbyterian Women, the church archives, and served terms as deacon and elder. Also, she delivered food for Meals on Wheels through Second Presbyterian Church. Always a willing volunteer, her services to her church community were invaluable.
One of Ellen's favorite pastimes was traveling, both throughout the U. S. and overseas, often with her sister Barb. Her first of nine trips to England was in 1953 to meet her English pen pal and attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (outside bleachers!).
Central in Ellen's life was her relationship with her mother, and it became even more so upon the death of her father in 1955. She and "Hearty" (as she affectionately called her mother) continued to maintain the family homestead on Clifton where together they enjoyed gardening, birding, and traveling with friends and family until the property was purchased by the University of Kentucky years later. For a time their cottage in Bay View (Petoskey, Michigan) provided much pleasure when they shared summers with sister Barb and family. In later years, she was happy to welcome sister Jane and family back to Lexington from California.
Ellen kept close family ties throughout her life and did extensive genealogical research on both sides of her family. A prolific note and letter writer (as well as a daily diary writer from 1948-2020), she nurtured lasting relationships with extended family, neighbors, church friends, classmates, students, student teachers and colleagues. She gifted them with her time and attention, quick wit and spunky sense of humor, kind words and encouraging support, and beautiful smile and genuine affection. All who knew this amazing lady of small stature and gentle demeanor loved her and were made better people by her huge heart and infectious spirit.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to all who befriended Ellen at The Lafayette for seven years, and, more recently, those who provided loving care at Lexington Country Place.
Contributions in her memory are suggested to Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, 180 East Maxwell Street, Lexington, KY 40508; Alice Lloyd College, 100 Purpose Road, Pippa Pippa Passes, KY 41844; or Frontier Nursing University, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383.
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