E. Anne Allen – Obituary

E. Anne Allen

December 2, 1950 – February 6, 2025

-----------------------------------------------

E. Anne Allen, of West Charleson, beloved wife of Sherman D. Allen, Jr. and mother to Daniel A. Allen and Jeffrey P. Allen, went to meet her Lord and Savior on February 6, 2025, in Lebanon, NH.

She was born Edith Anne Donahue, at the Fanny Allen Hospital in Colchester, VT, on December 2, 1950, to Harry and Edith (Finlay) Donahue. In their family of six, Anne was the only daughter. Anne greatly loved her three brothers and would often tell her own sons many stories about her brothers that may have been more myth than truth.  Anne attended Essex Junction High School prior to graduating in 1969 from St. Mary's-in-the-Mountains in Bethlehem, NH. Following high school, Anne attended University of Vermont before attending The School of Fashion Design in Boston, MA.

In 1972 Anne and her newly acquired yellow Volkswagen Beetle arrived in northern Vermont. Her life in the Northeast Kingdom started with employment at Slalom Skiwear as a stitcher and designer's assistant, then at Adult Learning Center as a tutor, then at Community College of Vermont as a sewing instructor. Anne enjoyed all her work experience but found her true professional calling at Samii Clothes in 1985 where she was an assistant to the designer. Samii Clothes allowed Anne to showcase her patternmaking, research and development, production cutting and leadership skills while being home with her growing family.

In 1973 Anne met Sherman Allen at the East Charleston Church of the Nazarene. It was at this church where Sherm and Anne would ultimately be married on October 12, 1974. Anne wore a wedding dress of her own making with Sherm and the groomsmen also wearing shirts she had sewn. It was then that Anne lovingly took on the last name Allen while also legally changing her first name to the initial E. much to the confusion of future telemarketers. Anne and Sherm moved into the house Sherm built for her in 1979 where they raised their family. This house overlooking the Clyde River was truly a home for their sons and later for their visiting grandchildren. Anne and Sherm's long and blessed marriage was celebrated in October 2024 at a surprise 50th anniversary party among many friends and family.

Anne had a heart for leadership and volunteerism. Anne spent many years giving her time and talents to the local Arts and Craft Fair, numerous churches, Clara Barton Camp, and various community groups. Anne always sought to improve herself and others which led her to complete the New England Rural Leadership Program as well as engage in years of involvement with the University of Vermont Extension and Regional Advisory Council. As a devout Christian, her Nazarene church and the United Christian Academy were favorite places of hers to give her time. Anne spent time on committees and boards while also using her sewing abilities to the benefit of the church and school. Many Christmas pageant shepherds wore her creations.

After a stroke in 2006, Anne's strong spirit and deep faith aided her in beating many odds by relearning to move, speak and live life. Anne blessed her family with almost 19 more years of memories as she saw her sons reach milestones along with meeting all her grandchildren and her great-grandson. Anne loved Sherm's newfound love of cooking, visits from her grandchildren, and -playing Scrabble. Frequent highlights were her daily trips with many amazing RCT drivers so that she may attend The Meeting Place in Newport. It was at The Meeting Place where she would continue to make wonderful friends and terrible puns.  Anne's affinity for wordplay and puns along with her quick wit was ever present her entire life and was only outmatched by her ability to create with fabric.

Anne was preceded in death by her mother Edith Donahue, father Harry Donahue and sister-in-law Ann Allen. Anne is survived by her husband, Sherman D. Allen, Jr. of West Charleston, son Daniel Allen and wife Jennifer of Derby, son Jeffrey Allen and wife Jan of Bridgewater, NJ, grandchildren Haley, Anthony, Riley, Molly and Finley, and greatgrandchild Henry. She is also survived by her brother Peter Donahue and his wife, Sylvia, her brother Dennis Donahue, her brother Paul Donahue and his wife Deb, and her brother-in-law, Jack Allen, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Her surviving family will never forget the strength that she exuded and the love she brought to their lives.

Friends may call from noon to 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 15th, with a funeral immediately following at 2:00 PM at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Derby, with Pastor Mike DeSena officiating.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the United Christian Academy, 65 School Street, Newport, VT 05855. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.