Velma Arlene Allen, age 81, resident of 21647 Erie Street, Venango, PA, passed peacefully away with her family at her side on Friday, July 15, 2011 at Crawford County Care Center, Saegertown, PA where she had been a patient for little over a month. Born in Waterford, PA, Velma was a daughter of the late Roy Robbins and Blanche Barnes Robbins. She married Jesse Dean Allen on September 20, 1952 and he preceded her in death on September 18, 2009.
Following graduation from Edinboro High School in 1946, Velma worked for several years until her marriage in 1952. She and her husband moved to live in Pasadena, TX in 1953 and they returned to reside in Cambridge Springs in 1968. The following year Velma began employment with Carnation Milk Company in Cambridge Springs as a secretary. She continued to work there until the Plant closed and then she began employment at Snap-Tite in Union City, working there until her retirement in, 1982.
Velma was an accomplished artist and was well known for her wonderful paintings which today hang in many homes and churches throughout the country. Velma was known for her sweet disposition and countenance. She volunteered for many positions in the United Methodist Church in Venango and in Cambridge Springs. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and painting.
Family members surviving Velma include two daughters – Sharon Beck and her husband, Robert of Venango and Beverly Harchick and her husband, Theodore of Pittsburgh; a stepdaughter – Delores Cannon of Austin, TX; and a step son – Joseph Allen of Oklahoma City, OK; She is a grandmother of Chad Perrin and his wife, Heather; Bart Beck and his wife, Jill; Lindsay McCloskey and her husband, Michael; Jason Harchick and his wife Elizabeth; Jonathan Harchick; Boyd Adams and his wife, Marianne; Darrell Adams, Debra Weber Owens, Travis Allen; William Cannon; Malinda Bradford and her husband, James; Denise Betancourt and her husband, Samuel; Joseph Babcock; Brian Babcock; and Cassandra Allen. She is also survived by a sister – Winifred Robbins Riley of Red Lion, Ohio and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Velma was preceded in death by an infant twin daughter- Karen and a step granddaughter – Dale Allen.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 and to funeral services there on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Reverend Christine Rogan, pastor of Venango United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Cambridge Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial gifts be given to the Venango United Methodist Church, 21472 Church Street, Venango, PA 16440 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
Winnie, Sharon, Beverly and family: Many sympathies on the loss of a wonderful lady. – Mary Lou