CAPE ELIZABETH – Mary M. “Pat” Allen, 89, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and a former longtime resident of Mitchell Road, South Portland, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in Scarborough, after a brief illness. She was born Mary Rita Madison, Dec. 25, 1920, in Syracuse, N.Y., the daughter of George T. and Mary E. Leonard Madison. She attended parochial schools in her hometown and graduated from St. Vincent de Paul’s High School and later Powelson School of Business, Syracuse, N.Y. During World War II she worked in a military secretarial pool in Washington, D.C., and lived in a rooming house in northwest Washington with other young women who had come to the nation’s capital to help out in the war effort. She later worked as a private secretary in Washington and as a service representative for New York Telephone Co., Syracuse, N.Y. She met her future husband, Franklin B. Allen of Portland, in 1943, at a USO dance at Syracuse University, where he was undergoing preflight training for service in the military. They married July 20, 1946, at St. Vincent de Paul’s Church, Syracuse, N.Y. The Rev. A. Leonard Madison, a Maryknoll priest who was one of Mrs. Allen’s brothers, performed the wedding ceremony. The Allens lived in Brunswick and later in Portland, where they had a home on Capisic Street. In 1952, they bought a house at 124 Mitchell Road, South Portland, where they would live for the next 49 years and raise their six children. Mrs. Allen was an active member of Holy Cross Church, South Portland, and her first four children attended Holy Cross School. She was an avid reader, enjoyed music and loved working in her home and in her flower garden. She also was a talented bridge player and belonged to several bridge clubs in the Portland area throughout the decades. But most of all Mrs. Allen was devoted to her family. She instilled in her children a love of learning, including the proper use of the English language – a devotion to hard work and compassion for those less fortunate. She took a keen interest in their education and career aspirations, and corresponded with them faithfully when they were away from home. “She was always our greatest champion,” said her youngest child, Peter. “Even when we stumbled, she believed in us. One of her greatest qualities was her unshakable belief in her children.” Mrs. Allen took a special interest in her eight grandchildren and never forgot their birthdays. “You are the best grandmother ever and I appreciate everything you do,” her granddaughter, Molly MacLeod once wrote to her. “You are so generous and selfless and are known for your acts of kindness and sense of humor. We all love you so much.” The Allens traveled frequently throughout the years, often to visit family members. During retirement, they vacationed several times with their daughter, Mary, in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, and also toured England and Mrs. Allen’s ancestral homeland, Ireland. Also during retirement, Mrs. Allen reported social news from South Portland and Cape Elizabeth for American Journal newspaper and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels program. After selling their home in South Portland in 2001, the Allens lived for several years in Portland and later with their son, Peter and his family in Cape Elizabeth. Mrs. Allen was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Dr. Vincent Madison, Dr. George B. Madison, the Rev. A. Leonard Madison and John L. Madison; her sister, Anne M. Cunningham; and a daughter-in-law, Linda M. McRea. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Christopher S. Allen of Athens, Ga., and Newburyport, Mass., and his longtime companion, Katherine J. Spofford, Mary E. Allen of Olney, Md., Timothy J. Allen of Bangor, Katherine A. MacLeod and her husband, George, of Orland, Nancy A. Vaughn and her husband, Jeffrey, of Port Orange, Fla., and Peter W. Allen and his wife, Jennifer, of Cape Elizabeth; by her grandchildren, Daniel and Molly MacLeod of Portland, Leah MacLeod of Portland, Ore., Connor MacLeod of Orland, Joseph and Hannah Allen of Cape Elizabeth, and Brian and Amy Vaughn of Port Orange, Fla.; numerous nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, A Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Cape Elizabeth.
MARY M. ‘PAT’ ALLEN
