Obituary of Kathleen Lilian Allen

(MARCHAND, nee., McCARTHY) May 18, 1921 - November 27, 2013 With heavy hearts we’ve said a last goodbye to our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother; Kay, to all who knew her. Mom lived a long life and was lucky enough to be loved by two wonderful husbands, my father, Eddy Marchand with whom she shared a life for forty four years until his death and then, Ed Allen, to whom she has been married for the last 19 years. Mom loved deeply, was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by her husband, Edgar Allen of Toronto, her daughter, Karen Abrams (Brian), her grandchildren, Erin Abramson (Jonathan), Joel Abrams (Isabella) and her great grandchildren, Madeline, Alexandra, Jordan, Katarina and Lilijana. Also left to mourn are Ed’s children, Norm Allen (Sandy), Judi Wright (Ron), Jim Allen (Lucy), Arlene Ferguson (Gord), Tom Allen and their families. Smart, independent, active, highly principled, tender hearted and generous of spirit, my mother’s gifts led to careers in the accounting departments of Avon and Brinks. Never showy and always humbly, she gave of herself with an open heart to family, friends and strangers. She loved, unabashedly, every furry, four legged creature, “mothering” many over her lifetime. She golfed and bowled into her 80s, enjoyed winters in Florida, cruises, and played cards until her hospitalization 5 weeks ago. Although born and raised in Toronto, the family moved to Montreal when Mom was a teenager. There she met my Dad who won her heart with his charm and persistence. Upon their retirement, they settled in Wilmot Creek, near Bowmanville ON and enjoyed three happy years in this welcoming community until my Dad’s sudden passing. She was supported by the community and several years later, met the second love of her life, Ed Allen. Again, she was welcomed into the hearts of Ed’s family. In September 2012, failing health prompted a move to Calgary, Trinity Lodge and the embrace of our family. It has been a beautiful 15 months, enriched by friends and staff at Trinity and the special relationship and support of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.