Patricia D. Allen

COLEBROOK — Patricia Allen (neé Doody), 72, of Colebrook, passed away peacefully late Wednesday morning, Dec. 10, 2014, at her home with her family by her side. She was born in Keene, NH, on Dec. 5, 1942, a daughter to the late Robert E. and Mildred K. (Jelley) Doody. Pat was the beloved wife of the late Paul F. Allen, former Superintendent of SAU 7. Educated at St. Joseph’s School in Keene and Our Lady of Monadnock in Jaffrey, Mrs. Allen received her bachelor’s degree at Keene State College and was given awards of excellence from the English department, the Dorothy Potter English Fund, the American Association of University Women, and the Journalism department. She earned her Master’s degree summa cum laude from the University of Maine in Orono. While at Orono, and in collaboration with Dr. David Rosen of the University of Maine at Machias, Pat created the Downeast Drama Festival for area high schools. As curriculum coordinator for K-12 in Woodland, Me., she wrote successful grants for cultural enrichment of the curriculum. Her work experience also included a position as Society Editor of the Keene Evening Sentinel where she was in the press room when the teletype announced the assassination of JFK. She taught at Keene High School, Mahar Regional in Orange, MA, Quabbin Regional and Ruggles Lane in Barre, MA, Woodland High School in Baileyville, ME, and at Colebrook Academy in Colebrook. She was an adjunct English professor for the White Mountains Community College for 25 years. Her professional accomplishments included service for Lions International as an ambassador in Switzerland, participation in Project TEACH at Leslie College in MA, being published in The Enterprise, a poetry journal, and in The Writing Teacher. Listed in Who’s Who of American Teachers, Mrs. Allen also served on the NH State Department of Education Committee on Curriculum Development for state testing and on the state Emergency Planning Committee. She created self-sustaining summer programs in both Maine and New Hampshire and in Canaan, VT, and for the Association of Secondary Curriculum Development. Pat also initiated the “Students Against Destructive Decisions” group at Colebrook Academy which was instrumental in erecting the Scenic & Cultural Information Kiosk on Route 3. She expanded, catalogued, and donated The Foxfire project to the Historical Society of Colebrook. Mrs. Allen was a finalist for Teacher of the Year in Maine and a nominee for Disney Teacher of the Year. She was named Volunteer of the Year in 2007 by the American Cancer Society, and was the recipient of several yearbook dedications. Her journalism class ran a school store and vending machines, using the proceeds to purchase a printing machine. For over 20 years, they published a student-generated magazine of poetry, short stories, and art called “Spirit of the Mohawk.” Pat was a member of the Education Association on local, state, and national levels, as well as the Teacher of English Association and the Association of Secondary Curriculum Development. She was also a member of the Catholic Women’s group in her parishes. She leaves behind three daughters, Kathleen (Kevin) Woodworth of Clinton, MD, Barbara Jean (Victor) Beauchemin of Hudson, NH, and Susan M. Allen of Colebrook; four grandchildren, Samantha & Abigail Beauchemin, and Lily & Lindsay Davis; two brothers, Robert (Leigh) Doody, Jr., of Marlborough, NH, and Michael (Jennifer) Doody of Ft. Worth, TX; a sister Kathleen O’Reilly of Dallas, TX; as well as seven nephews and nieces. It was Pat’s wish that her funeral services not disrupt anyone’s holiday busyness. Therefore, memorial calling hours will be at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH, on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial Mass will be held the next morning, Friday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church with The Rev. Craig Cheney as celebrant. Interment will be in the spring at St. Brendan’s Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Allen may be made to the Paul F. & Patricia D. Allen Memorial Scholarship fund, c/o 1st Colebrook Bank, 132 Main St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Patricia D. Allen

December 5, 1942 - December 10, 2014