Barbara L. Allen , 92, predeceased by her beloved husband, Maynard ‘Al’ Allen, died at home peacefully with family on the Feast of St. Joseph, the Patron of A Happy Death.

            Born and raised in Lynn, Ma. within a close-knit musical family. She was an excellent student and graduated from Lynn Classical High school despite much mischief with her big brother and best friend, Herb.

            It was her brother who introduced his Barbie to Al, when they met in NYC, on their shore leave from the Navy, and it was love at first jitterbug.  They both had a love of dancing and music and spent many of their 53 years of marriage singing at the piano.

            Barb and Al bought their first house in Lynn in 1957, and in 1967 bought a small camp on Allen Pond in Greene, Me. Everyone was always welcome at ‘Kith N Kin’. Many happy summers were spent with the Maine families, and the Massachusetts families joined in. Boat rides, water skiing, lobster bakes, singing around the campfire, and playing endless games.

            In later years they bought their first camper and expanded their vacations to most of the United States, with planned stops to visit friends, relatives, casinos, and many Nascar racetracks.

            Barbara loved being a homemaker and mother. In later years she worked for H&R Block, as a tax preparer, manager, and as an instructor for two decades. She was also active with her husband’s business, the Ipswich News. They bought their final home in Ipswich in 1987.

She loved her time with her three grandchildren, great granddaughter, and all her nieces and nephews. Barbara was at all the town events for Jonathan, Sarah, and Emma including Little League, softball, cheering, football, soccer, dance recitals, boy scouts, school concerts and plays, usually making a video.

            Barbara had many skills, was known for writing outstanding poems for family and friends’ significant moments, but entertaining and welcoming others with her great cooking and party attitude will be most remembered.

            She lived a life of gratitude, knew how blessed she was with her family and faith, and never complained, even with her long confinement at home. She dealt with all of life’s challenges with grace and dignity. She was a woman of faith and a practicing Catholic all her life, with a special reverence for the Rosary.

            Think of Barbara when you decorate your Christmas tree, read a lovely poem, or notice how the spring days stay lighter longer and have a Manhattan in her memory.

            She is predeceased by her husband Maynard Allen, brother Herbert Simpson Jr., her parents Lillian and Herbert Simpson Sr. She is survived by her children Michael D Allen and his wife Maria (Jones) of Salem, Ma., Patricia L. Allen of Ipswich, John H. Allen of Ipswich. And her grandchildren Jonathan M. Allen and his wife Jackie (Chambers) of No. Chelmsford, Ma., Sarah L Richter and her husband Joshua of Ipswich, and Emma R. Allen of Tilton NH. And by her great-granddaughter Josephine L. Allen of No. Chelmsford, Ma.

          A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday  March 28th.   at  11:00 A.M.  at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church  54 Linebrook Road, Ipswich.  Burial will follow in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery  29 Town Farm Road, Ipswich.  Visiting hours will be Friday  March 27th.  from  4:00 to 7:00 P.M.  in the Morris Funeral Home  45 North Main Street, Ipswich, relatives and friends are respectfully invited.  In lieu of flowers please make a donation  in Mrs. Allen’s name to:  Epilepsy Foundation New England  175 Cabot Street  Suite 301  Lowell, MA  01854  or to  dsearles@epilepsynewengland.org.  To send a letter of condolence to the Allen family please go to:  MorrisFH.com .