Memorial Mass for Jean Saffell Allen, 87, Lawrence, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday December 4, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Jean passed away Nov. 26, 2010. She willed her body to the KU Medical School for Research.
Jean was born Aug 15th, 1923 in Junction City the daughter of Paul L. and Mabel Wahle Saffell. She was educated in Cloud and Riley County schools, graduating from Emporia High School in 1941.
She later graduated from Marymount College in Salina, in 1943, in art and completed her bachelor degree in design from the Fine Arts School at Kansas University in 1945, while there she became a member of Pi Beta Phi social sorority.
Jean then returned to Marymount College to teach art subjects until 1947, she then joined the KU Design faculty with the school of Fine Arts. She received her Masters degree in Design in 1954 and retired to raise a family.
Through the years in addition to raising a family she was Chairperson, board member, judge, consultant and student in several art disciplines, shows, contests, displays at KU, in Lawrence and Douglas County, being a Co-founder of the Lawrence Art Festival and display chairman of the first Art in the Park in the Community Building. In 1971 she accepted a teaching position with then Haskell Indian JC working with students mostly in weaving techniques and other art subjects, retiring in 1987.
She married C Roger Allen July 12, 1952, he survives of the home. Jean is further survived by sons Charles and wife Renee, Chad and wife Sherri, Tim and wife Patty and Tom. Jean is also survived by a sister, Pat and her husband Joe Siemens, seven grandchildren, five great grand children, three nephews, and six nieces. Two brothers and her parents preceded her in death.
The family suggests memorials to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation, and Hospice Care sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260,
Lawrence, KS 66044.
I loved your Mom. She was such an important part of my Mom’s world. The art talent they shared and enjoyed together brings lots of nice memories. I always enjoyed seeing her weaving creations and when I took weaving at KU she was supportive. Also, I worked for her cleaning at your home. I will never forget having to rake the carpet:) She was a wonderful person in my life and I will always carry memories of her with me. Love, Jo
Roger and family: So sorry to hear of your loss. I worked for you and your dad when I was a young man at Firestone when your children and mine were very young. Jean was a wonderful person, sadly missed.
Herman LeRoux
Debbie(LeRoux)Feist and Art
At our store we are saddened to hear of your loss of Jean. We will be keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Steve
To Jean Allen’s family:
Blessings and love to you all. Jean was a true friend and added much fun and joy to our lives.
Ginny, Gayle, Peter, Jo, and David Meserve
Roger: My thoughts are with you. Having lost my wife, I can realize your pain. The best to you. Francis
We send our sincere condolences to Jean’s family. My wife and I were very sorry to hear about Jean’s death. I worked with Jean for many years at Haskell, and I have many fond memories of her on the job. Jean was a conscientious instructor, and we often talked at length about some of the problems facing Haskell. I missed her a great deal when she left Haskell.