M. S. "Seville" Allen

ALLEN M. S. ALLEN "SEVILLE" Seville Allen passed away on February 23, 2010 after a 2-year battle with cancer. She was a retired federal civil servant and former Deputy Director of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. She was an invaluable leader of the National Federation of the Blind at the local, state, and national levels. At the time of her death, she was finishing her second decade as the elected First Vice President of the Federation''s Virginia state affiliate. Seville was a beloved and active member of St. George''s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia. As a 35-year resident of Arlington, Seville was active in many community activities. In 2004, she received the Vision Award from the Arlington Commission on the Status of Women. Survivors include her sister Ivy Helsel of Sewickley, PA; two brothers, Terry Allen of Belpre, OH and Larry Allen of Mckeesport, PA; and three nephews, Jayson Helsel of Sewickley, PA, Douglas Helsel of Hatfield, PA, and Bradley Helsel of Portland, OR. A memorial service will be held at St. George''s Episcopal Church on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 2 p.m. Donations may be made to either the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Inc., 702-5 Prince Edward Street, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, or to St. George''s Episcopal Church, 915 North Oakland Street, Arlington, VA, 22203.