Dorothy (Dottie) Baker Allen, family matriarch
Dorothy (Dottie) Baker Allen, 94, died peacefully in her sleep at the Christ Home Nursing Facility in Warminster, Pa., near her daughter, Susan. Born in Seattle, Wash., she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Dorothy (Honey) Baker.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Andrew W. Allen, and her brother, Landon (Joey) Baker. Surviving are: children Andrew (Lucy) Allen of Berwyn, Pa., Susan Benzie of Doylestown, Pa., Robert (Rebecca) Allen of Salisbury, Md., and Charles (Karen) Allen of State College, Pa.; brothers John (Isabel) Baker of Atlanta, Ga., and Thomas (Barbara) Baker of Wisconsin Dells, Wis; 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Dottie moved to the Philadelphia suburbs when she was 5 years old. She attended Lower Merion High School where she met the love of her life, Andy. Dottie attended Elmira College before transferring to the University of Michigan where Andy was enrolled in the U.S. Marines officer program. They were married in 1947. Andy’s career with Campbell Soup involved moving to many different homes, including the suburbs of Camden, N.J., Wrightsville Beach, N.C., Fredricksburg, Va., Omaha, Neb., Napoleon, Ohio, Oakville, Ontario, Canada; and Wayne, Pa.
In 1970, they moved to Rehoboth Beach after Andy took a position at Draper King Cole in Milton, where she lived for 45 years. Besides being a loving wife and wonderful mother, she worked in an employment agency, a preschool, and a boutique clothing store. She loved to play golf and watch any kind of sports, especially her beloved Phillies and Eagles. She loved her family most of all, who will miss her greatly.
The celebration of life ceremony will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Dottie’s memory may be made to: Community Resource Center, 37510 Oyster House Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or St. Vincent De Paul, c/o St. Edmond Catholic Church, P.O. Box 646, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
If you would like to leave condolences or be contacted when the celebration of life is scheduled, please visit the Alleva Funeral Home website, www.dignitymemorial.com.
