Maureen Allen

May 15, 1954 – April 8, 2023

Beloved daughter, adored and adoring life partner of the late Edward McGowan, and cherished friend of many, Maureen Allen will be remembered for her dedication to her community, fierce advocacy for justice and democratic principles, and, above all, her warmth, loyalty and devotion to everyone and everything she cared about.

A resident of the Jackson Heights-East Elmhurst area from the time she was eight months old, and deeply committed to the community, Maureen began a life of public service as an intern for State Assemblymember, and later Deputy Speaker, Ivan Lafayette while still a student at Lehman College. Joining his staff on graduation, she quickly rose to Chief of Staff, working with Lafayette, and his successor Michael DenDekker, for a combined 43 years, and gaining a reputation for her high standards, professionalism and excellence in constituent service.

A political force in her own right, Maureen was also elected as a District Leader and State Committeemember for the 34th Assembly District, and as a member of the Queens County Democratic Committee, and served several terms as President of the John F. Kennedy Democratic Club.

The youngest board president of the Northridge Cooperative, Maureen was an active member of many advisory boards, including the NORC program in Jackson Heights, the Advisory Board of the Beacon Program at PS 149, Advisory Board of the Jackson Heights/Elmhurst Kehillah (Jewish Community Council), the former Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association, the 115th Precinct Community Council and others. In addition, she was a board president for group home for mentally disadvantaged children in Corona and served on Community Board 3.

Maureen was also a Charter Member of the Kiwanis Club, established in September 1990 in Jackson Heights. Her work with Kiwanis included acting as Editor of the Queens West Divisions monthly newsletter, the President of the Queens West Kiwanis Foundation, Executive Officer of 19 Kiwanis Clubs in the Western Queens area, and Lieutenant Governor of the Queens West Division during 2001/2002, and as Secretary of her board of all 28 Lieutenant Governors in New York State.

Among the many honors Maureen received were certificates of merit and citations from the NYPD, the 115th Precinct, Kiwanis International, the 115th Precinct Community Council, the New York City Board of Education, the Jackson Heights Community Development Corporation, the Association of Father Billini, the John F. Kennedy Democratic Club, the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens (for being a solid ally of the LGBT community), and the Wood Heights Democratic Club. In addition to many proclamations from Federal, State and City elected officials over the years, to mark her 40 years of service to the New York State Assembly, Maureen was given a special citation signed by all 18 Queens Assemblymembers and recognized for her work during a scheduled legislative session.

Creating a huge extended family from her many heartbroken friends, our beloved Mo will always be remembered as a spectacular cook and gracious hostess, and for her caring, loyalty and generosity. When she loved you, she made sure you knew it. In addition to her soulmate, Ed, she also adored taking cruises, doing elaborate ceramic work, reading, shopping, and tending to generations of beloved cats, including Frisky, Peekaboo, Winston, Onyx, X, Sheeba, Nutmeg, Sunshine, and especially, Turnip.

Donations in her memory should be made to the animal welfare organization of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sbjmemorialchapel.com for the Allen family.