Obituary of Helene Allen

Helene F. Allen, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away after a brief illness at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen on Thursday, July 14, 2011 surrounded by her three daughters. She was 86 years old. Helene was born in Bremen, Germany, the daughter of the late Ernst and Gesinee Schoennagel. She grew up and was educated in Bremen and became a nurse. During the Allied Occupation of Germany, Helene met an American soldier and they fell in love. They were married in Bremen on June 17, 1949. Her husband, Norman, made a career in the military. As a military wife and mother, Helene became adept at moving her family and home to each military base they were assigned. Over the years, her family has made their home in Puerto Rico, Panama, Alaska, Germany, and Kentucky. After her husband’s retirement in 1966, they settled in Woburn. Helene’s life was all about her family. She was a devoted wife, a caring and watchful mother, and a loving “Nana” to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great grandchild. She always made them a home filled with music, laughter, and love. She loved playing the piano, with German waltzes being her favorite. She could sing as well. She cherished the time with her family, whether it was around the piano, on a trip, a holiday, special occasion, or just a visit. She leaves them with countless memories. She will be greatly missed. Helene was the beloved wife of the late Norman K. Allen. She was the loving mother of Dianne J. Gatta of Boxford, Beverly Cockell of Woburn, and Norma Jordan & her husband William of Salem, NH. She was the sister of Margaret Veigt of Germany, and Ernst Schoennagel of Wakefield, the late Lotte Meyer, Thea Caarls, and Gertrude Schoennagel of Germany. She was the proud grandmother of Laurie Lundin, Cynthia, Charlene, and Christina Hatch, William, Amanda, and Jeffrey Jordan, the great-grandmother of Robert Hatch, Matthew Grant, and Jakob Lundin, and great great-grandmother of Robert Hatch Jr. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Helene’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Arrangements under the direction of the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, BURLINGTON. My mother wasn’t afraid of dying, she just wanted to know if there really was a Heaven and what we thought Heaven was like. Well I told her I thought you would be younger (which she would have loved to be) and it would be a time where she had her happiest memories. I know the night before she died we were playing her favorite waltzes . She was laughing and giggling and I asked her who she was laughing with. I asked her if it was her sisters and she kinda shook her head yes. I said well Thea (her sister) finally made it over for a visit. She was coming to bring you home. She always wanted to go back to Germany one more time and I believe she finally went home. So Mom, Heaven is beautiful. The buildings are tall and made of gold, the Gates to get in are made of Pearls, with angels waiting for you, the foundation of the buildings are made of precious stones which are all the colors of the rainbow. There is a lake with flowers surrounding it, and there is a beautiful rainbow over the City of Heaven. So Ma, I know you made it and you will be missed by everyone, especially Joe from Methuen Village. Every time I visited my mother, I would run into Joe. Yesterday was no different. He told me how everyone at Methuen Village would refer to my mother as Madam Helena. I said your kidding . But Joe told me yesterday that my mother would always invite him to her apartment for something to eat and drink. My mother always said she had no friends, but I guess she just couldn’t remember after they would leave from their visit. So I want to read something special Joe gave to me and my sisters yesterday. I just want Joe to know how grateful we are for the time he spent with my mom and making some of her time at Methuen Village happy. July 15, 2011 Dear Norma, Diane and Beverly, It’s a sad occurrence the passing away of your mom, my friend. She did not die the death of damnation but rather passed joyfully into paradise where all the Holy Angels and Holy Saints dwell together in God’s presence in peace and harmony, gloriously without anymore trials or tribulations. She is in a far better place rather than we are and that we hope to go. So let us rejoice of her passing into a greater place of glory. Joe Lambert Well Ma, crazy as it seems, I will always treasure the last two weeks with you in the hospital. I know I did right by you. Auf Wiedersehen or until I see you again, I love you Ma.