Obituary of Sarah Williams Allen

Sarah (Sally) Williams Allen, of Wappingers Falls, NY, died Tuesday, April 4th, 2017, at the Albany Medical Center, surrounded by family, after a long illness. She was born February 14, 1942, in Sewickley, PA, daughter of the late Rev. James G. W. Williams, and the late Lila Williams Morrow. On August 20, 1966, she married Joseph B. Allen, who survives at home. Sally was a graduate of Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, and received her Masters of Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Library Science. She taught third grade for three years in the Avonworth Union School District, Allegheny County, PA, and three years in the Neshannock Township School District, in New Castle, PA. Moving to New York in 1968, she served for four years as school librarian for the Overlook Elementary School in the Arlington School District, in Poughkeepsie, NY, during which time she also served as an officer of the Arlington Teachers Association. She returned to teaching several years later at the New Hackensack Nursery School, in Wappingers Falls, NY, and served as a teacher in the four-year-old program for 19 years until her retirement. Sally was an active member of the New Hackensack Reformed Church, serving on the board of the associated nursery school (prior to her service there as a teacher), and participating in the Piggy Bank Bazaar. Sally deeply loved her husband of 50 years, her sons and their wives, and being "Grammy" to her grandchildren. She also loved the people she worked with at the nursery school, the children she taught, and their families. One of her greatest joys was following the progress and achievements of former students as they moved forward in their lives. She also enjoyed her summer vacations in Lake George with her family, and the chance to spend time with her "Lake George family." In addition to her husband, Sally is survived by son James Allen and his wife Catherine, of Poughkeepsie, NY, and son Robert Allen and his wife Heather, of Hoosick Falls, NY. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Justin and Chelsea Allen, of Poughkeepsie, and David, Joshua, Michael and Emma Allen, of Hoosick Falls, by sisters-in-law Sally Rogers of Erie, PA, and Betsy Ettinger and her husband Fred Ettinger III, of Mont Clare, PA, and by several cousins. Family will receive their friends on Sunday, April 23, 2017 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at New Hackensack Reformed Church, 1580 Route 376 in Wappingers Falls. A memorial service will follow visitation at 3 p.m. at the church; the Reverend Keith Tamlyn will preside. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New Hackensack Reformed Church Christian Education Program, 1580 Route 376, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Arrangements are under the direction of Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. To send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.