Oct. 30, 1938 – July 1, 2018
Kay Allen of Port Townsend, WA passed away on July 1, 2018 at age 79. She was the consummate wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Kay was born in the small west Texas town of Ballinger in 1938. She and her parents, Wayne Nelle and Ralph Christopher, moved to Fort Worth soon after. She attended Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth where Kay was active in various clubs and sports, including volleyball and basketball, and was incredibly well-liked by her classmates.
Kay later graduated from Christian College (which became Columbia College) in 1958 majoring in Fine Arts. It was there that she met her husband-to-be, Don Allen, who was a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. She often said that the day she saw Don walking across the campus, she knew she had found her soulmate for life. That turned out to be an accurate prediction as they celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in March of this year.
They have one daughter, Michelle, who arrived in 1969 and completed the family. They enjoyed her growing up through teenage years and traveling together in the U.S. and abroad.
Lovely on the inside as well as on the outside, Kay possessed a genuine “southern charm” throughout her life. She was a generous, loving spirit who cared deeply about people, animals, and nature. This was exemplified in so many ways, whether leaving a substantial gratuity at a restaurant or giving a meaningful gift to family and friends. Kay possessed a strong faith that gave her focus and comfort throughout her entire life. She had “quiet time,” as she described it, every morning during which she prayed for her family, a sick friend, and people in need.
Kay and Don moved to Port Townsend in 2000. They had planned to look at various areas in the Northwest, but when they arrived in Port Townsend for the first time, Kay exclaimed with delight, “This is it!” She loved everything about the town – its quaintness, the climate, the people, and the surrounding beauty. Marrowstone Beach was her “favorite place in the whole world!” She and Don made countless trips to Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, Salt Creek Recreation Area, and many other beautiful places. Kay loved her home, gardening, and used her fine arts training to recognize and appreciate the work of Northwest artists.
Kay is survived by her husband Don Allen, daughter Michelle Allen Norman, two grandchildren Ryan Norman and Alyssa Norman, son-in-law Jeff Norman, sister-in-law Barbara Clarke, and two nieces Cara Story and Bonnie Story.
A private service is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Hospice Foundation for Jefferson Healthcare in Kay’s name.
