Lorna M. Allen, age 82, a former resident of McGuire Park Dr., Bloomsburg, died on Friday evening, December 27, 2013 in the Niagara Hospice House, Lockport, New York. Lorna had been battling Alzheimer's and dementia for many years.
Lorna was born on Monday, January 12, 1931, at home on the family farm in Youngstown, New York, a daughter of the late Israel Walter and Martha Elizabeth (James) McCollum. As a young child, she attended the local one room schoolhouse in Youngstown, where she was responsible for cleaning and starting the fire in the mornings. After the Government took the family farm for an ammunition depot during the war, the family moved to a farm in Lockport where she attended the LaSalle School in Niagara Falls, New York. She graduated high school in 1949 from the Wilson High School, following a school district change. Lorna spent most of her time as a young woman working on the family farm on Upper Mountain Road.
On June 10, 1950, Lorna married her loving husband, Ronald C. Allen, after meeting three years prior at a local Grange Hall Square Dance. Shortly after their marriage, Lorna was employed as a typist for the Billing Department at Carborundum while living in Niagara Falls. After building a home on her family's farm in Lockport, New York Lorna was employed by Holcomb Lumber Company for many years.
In 1965, the family moved to the Lewisburg area for over 13 years, following her husband's job promotions. She attended the Winfield Baptist Church and the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Lewisburg. Beginning in 1978, the family relocated multiple times, again due to her husband's job promotions, from Niagara Falls, New York to Libertyville, Illinois, and moving to the Bloomsburg area following their retirement. Lorna served for many years in the Women's Extension Service in Niagara County, and also as an instructor for the Cambria 4-H Club.
While living in Bloomsburg, they attended the Emmanuel Bible Church in Berwick where Lorna served as a Sunday school teacher for many years, and was also very active in their community. In 1997, they ultimately returned to Niagara County to build their final home. They attended the Community Bible Church and most recently the Forest View Church of God in Niagara Falls. Lorna always had a special talent for sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and especially her "green thumb" for growing flowers. She also loved feeding and seeing humming birds at her many homes.
In addition to her parents, Lorna was preceded in death by a four brothers: Leon McCollum; Lawrence McCollum, Robert McCollum and William McCollum; and also by two sisters: Jane Wendt and Linda Decker.
Surviving is her beloved husband of 63 years, Ronald C. Allen of Ransomville, NY; two sons: Roger W. Allen and wife, Martha, of Bloomsburg; Terry L. Allen of Shickshinny; three daughters: Peggy J. Stockdale and husband, Jack, of New Columbia; Sandra K. Duncan and husband, Howie, of Dryden, NY: and Sharon B. Clement and husband, John, of Ransomville, NY; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and also by a sister: Ramona A. Carter of Youngstown, NY.
A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday evening, December 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg.
Funeral and graveside services will be held in Niagara County. Floral contributions will be graciously accepted and appreciated. Memorial contributions in Lorna's name are suggested to: Columbia Montour Home Hospice at Maria Hall, 410 Glenn Ave., Suite 200, Bloomsburg, PA 17185.