Dorothy Jane Allan passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on Dec. 5, 2014, at the age of 98. She was the eldest, and last surviving of seven children. She was born in Terre Haute, on June 4, 1916, to Anna and Clarence Burns. Her teen years were shaped by the Great Depression. She and Arthur Charles Allan married January 20th in 1935, Vigo County.
She began an accomplished career in bookkeeping in April 1939 working for the WPA. During the World War II, she was employed at the War Aid Depot. In the following years, she kept books for a variety of local businesses, including the Ford dealership, Blue Ribbon Coal and the Terre Haute Conservatory of Music. Dorothy’s pride in efficient, accurate work and her air of quiet professionalism are evidenced in glowing reviews by her employers. In later life, Dorothy and Artie worked together managing both Highland Lawn and Woodlawn cemeteries for the city. After 13 years working there, she followed Artie into retirement in May 1985.
Her desire to be productive and help others in the community led her to volunteer for Area 7 Agency on Aging and Disabled where she joined others at Garfield Towers to pack meals for the homebound. Seasonally, she provided free assistance with tax preparation for the elderly. Dorothy was a longtime member of the 8th Avenue Baptist Church. Both she and Artie remained active in the local Democrat Party over their lifetimes.
She always kept her mind and hands busy. She would beam upon finding a creative, frugal way to solve a problem, and could find delight in the shimmer of light off a rain-slicked street, wildlife in the yard or fall leaves blowing in the wind. While a self-described “health-nut”, she was always happy to drive into a hot kitchen on a summer day and whip up an amazing fried chicken dinner, complete with homegrown tomatoes, corn, potato salad, biscuits and gravy for family and friends. In her 70s, she laid down her crochet hook and took up painting, much to her delight and that of others.
She also enjoyed gardening, traveling to visit family and of course a good cup of tea. Dorothy continued to live a healthy, vibrant life into her early 90s. In her last years, her essential daily care was provided by her daughter, Dorothy Larimer, and her granddaughter, Rain Larimer, with additional supports provided from a distance by her son, George Allan, and her granddaughters, Laura and Micki Larimer. These contributions of essential care and support allowed her to remain at home up to the end of her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, son-in-law and one grandchild. She is survived by her children, Dorothy Larimer and George Allan; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Allan; seven grandchildren, plenty of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and numerous extended family.
The family thanks Hospice of the Wabash Valley, and to all the caregivers who assisted the family in Dorothy’s care as her needs became greater, and to the firefighters of “The Fighting 7th” for their generous assistance. Heartfelt thanks to the many prayer warriors who have provided spiritual support.
Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Thomas Funeral Home. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Dick Smith officiating.
(Tribune-Star Wednesday, December 10, 2014)
She began an accomplished career in bookkeeping in April 1939 working for the WPA. During the World War II, she was employed at the War Aid Depot. In the following years, she kept books for a variety of local businesses, including the Ford dealership, Blue Ribbon Coal and the Terre Haute Conservatory of Music. Dorothy’s pride in efficient, accurate work and her air of quiet professionalism are evidenced in glowing reviews by her employers. In later life, Dorothy and Artie worked together managing both Highland Lawn and Woodlawn cemeteries for the city. After 13 years working there, she followed Artie into retirement in May 1985.
Her desire to be productive and help others in the community led her to volunteer for Area 7 Agency on Aging and Disabled where she joined others at Garfield Towers to pack meals for the homebound. Seasonally, she provided free assistance with tax preparation for the elderly. Dorothy was a longtime member of the 8th Avenue Baptist Church. Both she and Artie remained active in the local Democrat Party over their lifetimes.
She always kept her mind and hands busy. She would beam upon finding a creative, frugal way to solve a problem, and could find delight in the shimmer of light off a rain-slicked street, wildlife in the yard or fall leaves blowing in the wind. While a self-described “health-nut”, she was always happy to drive into a hot kitchen on a summer day and whip up an amazing fried chicken dinner, complete with homegrown tomatoes, corn, potato salad, biscuits and gravy for family and friends. In her 70s, she laid down her crochet hook and took up painting, much to her delight and that of others.
She also enjoyed gardening, traveling to visit family and of course a good cup of tea. Dorothy continued to live a healthy, vibrant life into her early 90s. In her last years, her essential daily care was provided by her daughter, Dorothy Larimer, and her granddaughter, Rain Larimer, with additional supports provided from a distance by her son, George Allan, and her granddaughters, Laura and Micki Larimer. These contributions of essential care and support allowed her to remain at home up to the end of her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, son-in-law and one grandchild. She is survived by her children, Dorothy Larimer and George Allan; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Allan; seven grandchildren, plenty of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and numerous extended family.
The family thanks Hospice of the Wabash Valley, and to all the caregivers who assisted the family in Dorothy’s care as her needs became greater, and to the firefighters of “The Fighting 7th” for their generous assistance. Heartfelt thanks to the many prayer warriors who have provided spiritual support.
Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Thomas Funeral Home. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Dick Smith officiating.
(Tribune-Star Wednesday, December 10, 2014)
Dorothy Jane Allan passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on Dec. 5, 2014, at the age of 98. She was the eldest, and last surviving of seven children. She was born in Terre Haute, on June 4, 1916, to Anna and Clarence Burns. Her teen years were shaped by the Great Depression. She and Arthur Charles Allan married January 20th in 1935, Vigo County.
She began an accomplished career in bookkeeping in April 1939 working for the WPA. During the World War II, she was employed at the War Aid Depot. In the following years, she kept books for a variety of local businesses, including the Ford dealership, Blue Ribbon Coal and the Terre Haute Conservatory of Music. Dorothy’s pride in efficient, accurate work and her air of quiet professionalism are evidenced in glowing reviews by her employers. In later life, Dorothy and Artie worked together managing both Highland Lawn and Woodlawn cemeteries for the city. After 13 years working there, she followed Artie into retirement in May 1985.
Her desire to be productive and help others in the community led her to volunteer for Area 7 Agency on Aging and Disabled where she joined others at Garfield Towers to pack meals for the homebound. Seasonally, she provided free assistance with tax preparation for the elderly. Dorothy was a longtime member of the 8th Avenue Baptist Church. Both she and Artie remained active in the local Democrat Party over their lifetimes.
She always kept her mind and hands busy. She would beam upon finding a creative, frugal way to solve a problem, and could find delight in the shimmer of light off a rain-slicked street, wildlife in the yard or fall leaves blowing in the wind. While a self-described “health-nut”, she was always happy to drive into a hot kitchen on a summer day and whip up an amazing fried chicken dinner, complete with homegrown tomatoes, corn, potato salad, biscuits and gravy for family and friends. In her 70s, she laid down her crochet hook and took up painting, much to her delight and that of others.
She also enjoyed gardening, traveling to visit family and of course a good cup of tea. Dorothy continued to live a healthy, vibrant life into her early 90s. In her last years, her essential daily care was provided by her daughter, Dorothy Larimer, and her granddaughter, Rain Larimer, with additional supports provided from a distance by her son, George Allan, and her granddaughters, Laura and Micki Larimer. These contributions of essential care and support allowed her to remain at home up to the end of her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, son-in-law and one grandchild. She is survived by her children, Dorothy Larimer and George Allan; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Allan; seven grandchildren, plenty of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and numerous extended family.
The family thanks Hospice of the Wabash Valley, and to all the caregivers who assisted the family in Dorothy’s care as her needs became greater, and to the firefighters of “The Fighting 7th” for their generous assistance. Heartfelt thanks to the many prayer warriors who have provided spiritual support.
Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Thomas Funeral Home. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Dick Smith officiating.
(Tribune-Star Wednesday, December 10, 2014)
She began an accomplished career in bookkeeping in April 1939 working for the WPA. During the World War II, she was employed at the War Aid Depot. In the following years, she kept books for a variety of local businesses, including the Ford dealership, Blue Ribbon Coal and the Terre Haute Conservatory of Music. Dorothy’s pride in efficient, accurate work and her air of quiet professionalism are evidenced in glowing reviews by her employers. In later life, Dorothy and Artie worked together managing both Highland Lawn and Woodlawn cemeteries for the city. After 13 years working there, she followed Artie into retirement in May 1985.
Her desire to be productive and help others in the community led her to volunteer for Area 7 Agency on Aging and Disabled where she joined others at Garfield Towers to pack meals for the homebound. Seasonally, she provided free assistance with tax preparation for the elderly. Dorothy was a longtime member of the 8th Avenue Baptist Church. Both she and Artie remained active in the local Democrat Party over their lifetimes.
She always kept her mind and hands busy. She would beam upon finding a creative, frugal way to solve a problem, and could find delight in the shimmer of light off a rain-slicked street, wildlife in the yard or fall leaves blowing in the wind. While a self-described “health-nut”, she was always happy to drive into a hot kitchen on a summer day and whip up an amazing fried chicken dinner, complete with homegrown tomatoes, corn, potato salad, biscuits and gravy for family and friends. In her 70s, she laid down her crochet hook and took up painting, much to her delight and that of others.
She also enjoyed gardening, traveling to visit family and of course a good cup of tea. Dorothy continued to live a healthy, vibrant life into her early 90s. In her last years, her essential daily care was provided by her daughter, Dorothy Larimer, and her granddaughter, Rain Larimer, with additional supports provided from a distance by her son, George Allan, and her granddaughters, Laura and Micki Larimer. These contributions of essential care and support allowed her to remain at home up to the end of her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, son-in-law and one grandchild. She is survived by her children, Dorothy Larimer and George Allan; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Allan; seven grandchildren, plenty of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and numerous extended family.
The family thanks Hospice of the Wabash Valley, and to all the caregivers who assisted the family in Dorothy’s care as her needs became greater, and to the firefighters of “The Fighting 7th” for their generous assistance. Heartfelt thanks to the many prayer warriors who have provided spiritual support.
Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Thomas Funeral Home. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Dick Smith officiating.
(Tribune-Star Wednesday, December 10, 2014)
Gravesite Details
(married) Jan 20, 1935
