Dorothy Allen

Dorothy L. Allen, 96, died at 8:51 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at the Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home where had been a resident since February 2010.She was born in Jerseyville on Jan. 26, 1916, and was the daughter of the late Andrew & Anna (Alward) Murphy.She married Thomas Allen on Aug. 8, 1942 at St. Anns Shrine in St. Louis, Mo., and they shared 27 years together before his dath on Nov. 13, 1969.Dorothy was a 1934 graduate of Jersey Township High School, and worked as a bookkeeper for several years for Manning and Manning Poultry and later as a receptionist for Dr. Wuestenfeld, both of Jerseyville, until her retirement in 1976.  After her retirement, Dorothy took up quilting and cross stitching which she enjoyed immensely until entering the nursing home.  She quilted hundreds of quilts for her family, friends, and other individuals in addition to offering her talents to fundraisers, including the Jersey County Historical Society and the Easter Seals.She also enjoyed her exercise classes at the JCH Wellness Center, as well as dancing to the Big Band music at the Jerseyville Moose Lodge on Saturday nights.  She went to numerous other dances in the area with her friends until just recently."Aunt Doty", and she was lovingly referred, was close to all her nieces and nephews.  They always looked forward to their time with her and each Christmas her caramels were a treat for all.  She will be remembered by her family, as a "very special lady".Surviving are a brother, Gene Murphy of Jerseyville; a sister, Mary French of Jerseyville; sisters in law, Dorothy Murphy of Edwardsville, Irma Allen and Grace Allen both of Jerseyville, and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, and her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister & brother in law, Anna Marie & Jack Drew of Havana, Il.; a brother, William Murphy of Greenfield, IL., a sister in law, Norma Murphy, and brothers in law, Robert French, Eugene Allen and Hubert Allen all of Jerseyville.Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jeseyville, where a prayer service will be read at 4 p.m.A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m., Monday at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father Patrick Gibbons officiating.Burial will be in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville.In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Dorothy's honor to either St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church or to Masses

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home