CHELSEA, VT — Agnes Mary Allen, 85 died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.
She was born the daughter of Percy H. and Bessie (Farnham) Welch on July 1, 1934, in Tunbridge, VT where she was raised with her siblings.
She attended school in Tunbridge and later South Royalton where she graduated in 1952 from South Royalton High School. She married Laurence Allen of Chelsea on May 31, 1953 and for 66 years lived on the family farm where she worked with the cows, did barn chores, helped with haying in the fields, and got meals for everyone. They raised 6 children on the farm: Rick, Ron, Rob, Sue, Laurie, and Rory. It was on the farm that she spent time in her flower and vegetable gardens, welcoming anyone who came to visit by offering baked goods, especially chex mix, brownies, or apple pie. Most Sunday’s family and friends would drop by for either breakfast or lunch. She was a cook extraordinaire.
She loved gardening and would spend hours there making it beautiful, weed free and very productive. Her time off the farm was spent as a dedicated sports fan. She followed her 24 grandchildren all over VT watching them play whatever sport was in season. Once they were all through high school, she continued to go to the games of the oldest of her 28 great grandchildren. By example she passed on her practical family values and a simple approach to life. Her many nieces and nephews will also miss her open arms and home as well.
She is survived by her husband Laurence Allen of Chelsea, Rick and Sherry Allen and their children Heidi, Katie, and Travis; Ron and Cindy Allen and their children Zack, Ally, and Zeb; Rob and Beth Allen and their children Chelsey, Abbey, and Brock; Sue and Jim Kay and their children Jesse, Emily, Sada, Becky, Lilly, Gage (deceased), Wyatt, and Grace; Laurie “Cookie” and Kevin Braman and their children Ashley, Michelle, Lindsey, Jasmine and Hannah; and Rory and Christine Allen and their children Sydnie and Alexis, and all of the spouses, significant others and the 28 great grandchildren will miss her hugs, her support, and her cheerful demeanor.
She was predeceased by three brothers, Donald, David and Stanley Welch and three sisters, Gladys Tuller, Jessie Tucker and Kathleen Welch.
There are no public calling hours. A funeral service will be held Friday August 9, 2019 at 2pm at the United Church of Chelsea, with Rev. Bill Smith and Rev. Errol Hinton officiating. A time of fellowship and refreshment will follow the service at the Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill in Chelsea, VT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Branch Ambulance, PO Box 74, Chelsea, VT 05038.
A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com. The Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea, VT is in charge of arrangements.