Harriet Allen

Harriet Allen passed away at the age of 98 on November 17, 2023, after a brief illness. She is survived by her older daughter, Elise Scanlan and husband William, her younger daughter Marian Godwin, grandsons, Jeremy and wife Katie Scanlan, and Lee Scanlan and partner Zheina Pramatarova, and granddaughter Mia Godwin and partner Alex Seefried. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Lewis Allen (nee Abolitz), a Navy veteran of WWII, who passed away in 1997. Harriet and Lew were married for 52 years. Other close relatives include cousins Marilyn Buckler, Marjorie Rutiman and her husband Hans, nephews Philip Bobrow, Scott Bobrow and his wife, Colleen, nieces Julie Buckler, Eve Buckler, and Sarah Buckler, and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. She was very proud of her two great grandchildren, Miles and Fiona Scanlan.

Harriet was born in the Bronx on October 29, 1925, to Morris and Mary (Fox) Bobrow. She was the youngest child, along with brothers Al, Philip, and Julius. Her brothers “protected her” growing up during the lean years of the Great Depression. She was swept away by the gallant Navy man, Lewis Abolitz, and they married on September 15, 1944 in New York City when Harriet was 18 years old. After Lew was discharged from the Navy, they became one of the first occupants of Stuyvesant Town on the east side of Manhattan. In 1960, they purchased a modest split level new home in Spring Valley in a former apple orchard, and she remained there until the end of her life, a period of 63 years. She often commented that she and her neighbors, Phylis and Bob Levin, were the last remaining original owners in the development. She avidly supported Elise’s piano teaching career and Marian’s natural gifts at comedy, acting, and singing.

Harriet had several secretarial jobs early in her working career before landing a professional position working for Rockland County. She always stood up for the rights of other women among the male-dominated supervisors, and she fought for others to receive the pay and rights to which they were entitled. After retiring from the County, Harriet volunteered for many years in the public school system, tutoring disadvantaged youth to grow academically and socially. She willingly gave of herself to provide in-home care for her husband for several years during his declining health and never once complained.

Her friends and family always referred to her as the “amazing Harriet” due to her great vitality at living and constant focus on the needs of others. She had so many dear friends who were constantly looking out for her and greatly enjoyed her company while playing bridge or going to the theater. She was considered the “star” at the JCC in Nyack, where she was often the oldest participant and inspiration for younger women exercising and staying fit.

After a cancer diagnosis and 10-day stay at Good Samaritan Hospital in October, knowing the end was near, she asked to spend her final days in her own home. With supervision from an excellent hospice team, Harriet received loving care from her amazing caregivers Pauline and Anna for the final 18 days at home.

She will be missed by all who had the good fortune of crossing paths.

Funeral services for Harriet will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 11:00 AM at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977. Interment will take place immediately following services at Frederick W Loescher Veterans Cemetery, 220 Brick Church Road, New Hempstead, NY 10977.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 (845) 356-8600 Jewish Funeral Directors

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