Helen B. Allen

She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years David C Allen, and survived by her sister Marilyn Reina.

Her passions were entertaining family and friends, travelling and a Perfect Manhattan!

Her family’s story is described in the poem below, written by her husband. It has been updated by her grandson David C. Allen II.

David C Allen's Life Poem

It was April the tenth of 1953

that I was spending my last day to be "free"

Then it was April 11, 1953

and that was the first day of life for Helen and me.

The next big day was March 17, 1955

when little Charles David came alive.

Then on August the 16th, 1957

we had Cynthia Diane our angel from heaven.

In January of 1960, the 28th day,

our final baby, Craig Donald, came our way.

Then the time really started to fly

and the kids left home (I wonder why?)

In 1976 we gave Cindy to Jack

and in several years, they added three grandchildren to the pack.

Then in 1980 Chuck and Pam got married,

and we added three more grandchildren to the lot.

But little did we know, that through the year,

with so much happiness and a few tears,

our love for each other would not only last,

but get better and stronger than in the past.

So, if I live to be a hundred with a very gray head,

I hope we are still spending our anniversary

awake and in bed.

But, as with any voyage through life, there is always some sorrow and some strife,

so in 1989 Chuck and Pam made the break but kept it "friendly" for David II's sake.

Then along came the cloud with a silver lining and in ‘93 Debbie and Chuck were united.

Craig moved to New York to be a star,

and in our eyes he really went far.

Then Craig met Steve, whom we all agree,

fits really well in our family tree.

They later moved to Arizona, for life in the sun,

but in truth, we later learned their fight had just begun

against HIV and then AIDS, which neither one could win.

Steve died in March of 1995.

And so on September 15th, 1996 we knew Craig could not survive.

With his mother and father by his side---He died

I stopped in 1996. It is now 2010

A lot has happened between now and then.

Helen's mother died in 1997

we know that she went right to heaven.

Richard met Melissa in 2004

they now have two little girls, Lily and Addison, you can't help but adore.

Then David and Colleen were married in 2008

on the beach in Florida. It was really great

Gregory and Margie are very good friends we know

and we are waiting to see how things go.

That hits the high light of the last 14 years,

Lots of laughs and a few tears

Of old friends we lost a few,

but, as you can see we gained lots of new.

Of course this all could not have started,

were it not for four people now departed,

Helen and Charles were Helen's mom and dad,

Carrie and Charlie are the best I could ever have had.

P.S. I am so proud to have the titles of Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.

P.P.S Through the years we have had some showers

But my one big wish is that your lives will be as sunny as ours.

P.P.P.S Just when I thought the family tree was complete

Colleen and David came up with a fabulous treat

Two little girls who are identical, isn't that neat?

One is named Holly, the other Cassidy.

This all happened in 2011 the 22nd of January.

Epilogue:

Then on April 11th 2013, 60 years to the day

A love was being celebrated that we can agree changed the way

we saw the world and the way things could be,

A lesson in true love, there for all to see.

On the 9th of October David Charles had passed

His 86 years went way too fast.

Still he spent everyday laughing and loving us with every breath

Nothing will ever change that, not even death.

His legacy was one of true love, we can attest

The one called Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather

is in heaven drinking a Manhattan and smiling.

Now aren't we impressed!

In 2016 some things had changed Colleen and David II couldn't last.

They work together for the twins, who are growing up so fast.

And then Aloha was shouted from high above

As Greg and Margie united in love.

In 2019 David II found love again.

Cleo made sunshine from David’s rain.

From their union Charles David II came,

A son so loved to carry on the Allen name.

Now it’s 2023 and Helen has returned to me

I waited for her everyday.

She’s my soul mate. (What can I say?)

Together. Forever. For eternity.

Our story closes but not our legacy…

The dreams we started in ’53…

Though 70 years went “oh so fast”,

Our family is strong and will surely last.

The ups and downs, we will guide you through;

Seeing our love, in all of you.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, 1505 Makefield Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania 19067. A funeral mass will begin at 11:00 AM, and burial of cremated remains will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/