Milton philanthropist recalled for generosity and caring
(Published Tuesday, February 6, 2007 11:36:21 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Carla McCann Gazette staff
MILTON-During the 54 years that Marion Allen lived in Milton, her gentle nature, compassion and deep Southern drawl warmed and captured the hearts of most everyone she met.
"She had a rare and innate ability to respect everyone, no matter what station in life they were from," said Guy Fish, a local attorney and longtime friend. "Whenever you talked with her, she gave you her undivided attention. It was as though you were the only person in a room."
Her friends were from all walks of life. In celebration of Allen's 90th birthday, the Georgia native invited the city of Milton to a true Southern bash, complete with Southern fried chicken, sweet potato souffle and black-eyed peas.
That was eight year ago. Although many of Allen's friends hoped the grand lady would live to 100, her health deteriorated in the past few years.
Marion Allen
She died Sunday at home at age 98.
In Milton, Allen was a pillar of the community, a benefactor and a respected friend.
Her legacy tells of her generous soul, her love and respect for everyone, and her deep sense of community.
"Marion absolutely represented the best of Milton," said another longtime friend, Janet Flaherty.
She donated time, money and energy to many service organizations and people.
Allen also built The Gathering Place, a hub of activity for senior citizens.
"She wanted them to have a place to sit, talk and be friends and not have to be rushed off after eating lunch," said Vera Polglaze, director of The Gathering Place.
Allen worried about seniors spending too much time alone in their homes, Polglaze said.
"She cared for everyone as if they were her own family," Polglaze said. "We will miss her dearly."
The Gathering Place was Allen's vision and dream, Polglaze said.
The building resembles a Southern home from the architecture to furniture. Allen hoped that guests would experience true Southern hospitality there, Polglaze said.
On Monday, the flag in front of the building flew at half-staff in honor of Allen. It will be flown that way for 30 days, Fish said.
"I think deservedly so," he said.
Allen's late husband, Harris, owned and operated the telephone company in Milton and Tomah for years. He also inherited money that allowed the couple and their daughter to live comfortably.
Allen always credited her husband's hard work with making it possible for her to share their good fortune.
Much of what Allen did was behind the scenes.
She didn't want recognition for her generosity or kindness, Fish said.
Flaherty said she couldn't begin to guess how many students' college tuition was paid by Allen.
The Rock County Board recently voted unanimously to christen the major structure of UW-Rock County's expansion "Allen Hall." Allen helped develop the Silent Angel Fund at UW-Rock to provide emergency money for students in need and was a significant donor to the new library.
Allen also tutored students, taught Sunday school and opened her home to college students.
Many students who stepped into Allen's life weren't on honor rolls. Some had questionable pasts, filled with personal challenges, Fish said.
"Marion didn't care what anyone else thought of that," Fish said. "She based her opinions on personal experience with the students. She was a great influence on those students."
She always rooted for the underdog, he added.
"Marion loved kids," Fish said. "Her most precious moments were the times spent with children."
She also took great pride in being a good neighbor.
When a neighbor's daughter got married, Allen insisted on hosting the wedding in her Madison Avenue yard, said Joe Ban, father of the bride.
Allen also insisted on hosting the bachelor dinners for his sons, he said.
"I can't find enough superlatives to describe the wonderful attributes of this women," Ban said.
He is a former principal at Milton West Elementary School, and Allen used to visit the school to read to students.
She also taught them the history of the Old South.
"She knew everything about the traditions and the Confederacy of the South," Ban said. "The kids loved her."
So did his kids, Ban said.
From the time the Bans moved to Milton in 1971, she was part of the Ban family, he said.
She was the first person to welcome his family to the neighborhood, he said.
"She asked what we all were going to do with the boxes," Ban said. "She said, 'Don't worry, darling, I'll take care of them.'"
Before suffering the infirmities of age, Allen was a tireless supporter of the American Red Cross. As a young girl, she wrapped bandages for the organization.
Although Allen embraced her adopted community, her Southern roots were never far from sight. Allen grew up in Athens, Ga., where she graduated from a women's college with a teaching degree. She married Harris, a Wisconsin native, in 1937 and moved here with him.
She clearly was a "lady of the South," Fish said.
Allen supported the Wisconsin Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Milwaukee, where she was an honored guest and received a standing ovation, Fish said.
And more than once, Fish drove Allen to the gravesite of Belle Boyd in the Spring Grove Cemetery in Wisconsin Dells.
Boyd was a spy for the Confederacy during the Civil War. She died in Wisconsin while on a speaking tour after the war. Although Boyd died far from home, her grave contains Confederate soil brought here from Virginia, Fish said.
Allen was well read and educated, Fish said.
"Marion broadened my horizons," Fish said.
She was in her glory fighting or campaigning for a project or cause.
"She thrived to a degree on one project or cause after another," Fish said. "I had trouble keeping up with her. I really did."
Fish believes Allen's compassion made him a better person, he said.
Fish used to good-naturedly joke with Allen about her deep commitment to the Milton House Museum, with its Underground Railroad that offered slaves a route to freedom.
"She didn't have a biased bone in her body," Fish said.
In her eyes, the community was family.
"She was a dear who will be in our hearts forever," Ban said.
