Joan Allen

Joan Allen, a mother of three and former executive at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, died on October 4th. She was 69.

Joan, who most recently lived in Malvern, Pa., was known for her quick wit, passion for books and sports and – most of all -  love for her family, which included her husband Donald Allen and sons, Donny, Scott and Daniel as well as Donny’s wife, Taryn and their children Jack and Charlotte.

Joan was a voracious reader, a music lover, and a natural mentor. She was a supporter of the arts and longtime fan of the New York Mets. She received her bachelor’s degree from Union College and a master’s in business administration from New York University.

Joan went on to have a career at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals from 1973 to 1989, where she retired as Corporate Production Controller at Pfizer’s Manhattan headquarters.

That is where she met her future husband, Don Allen. After they were married in 1988, she focused full time on her family as they moved to Colorado and California before settling in New Fairfield, Connecticut in 1994.

“She was my best friend, my confidant and the love of my life,” said Don Allen. “She was not just the mother of my children but my partner on life’s journey.”

Joan Allen happily immersed herself in motherhood, driving the boys to soccer, swimming and baseball practice, volunteering at their schools and teaching catechism classes.

She treasured the annual family vacation to Aruba, a tradition starting when her sons were young and then continuing with her grandchildren.

Donny Allen remembers his mom making him heaping bowls of pasta after school before he headed out to play sports.

“That was my special time with her,” he remembered.

She doted on her grandchildren Jack and Charlotte and made sure she could see them at every chance – and video conferenced with them often.

Joan Allen grew up in Queens, New York with her parents, Gemma and Salvatore Colangelo - the eldest of four daughters including Lynn, Susan and Lisa.

“Joan took me everywhere – Central Park, the museums, the movies, to hear live music,” said her sister Lisa Colangelo. “She made sure we all took advantage of everything New York had to offer when I was a little kid.”

She is predeceased by her parents and sister Lynn. She is survived by her husband Don, sons: Donny, Scott and Daniel, daughter in law Taryn, grandchildren Jack and Charlotte and sisters Susan Colangelo and Lisa Colangelo.

A memorial service for Joan Allen will be held at a future date when she will be interred at Mtn. View Cemetery in Sherman, CT.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Scleroderma Foundation, Delaware Valley Chapter, DVchapter@scleroderma.org .