Elitea Allison

Some of my earliest memories revolve around "library school" and Mrs Allison. Mrs. Allison's greatest gift to me was her way of making me feel "special" in her presence. I sang my first solo during the Library school Christmas party at the age of 3 or 4! I thank Mrs Allison for instilling confidence and the love of books in me at such an early age. She will be so missed.

Mrs Allison gave me a warm first school experience in "library school". My love of books also began at an early age when she informed my parents that at 3 months old they should already be reading to me!
Her fascinating life and appreciation for books and knowledge live on in all of the many children whom she lovingly shared them with.

I met Lee Allison when I was in High School. Mrs. Allison was a special part of our extended family and all of our children had positive first school experiences in her Preschool program. When she turned 90 we celebrated and presented a memory book of writings about her from each member of our family. Mrs Allison was thrilled and those memories remain a testament to a life lived fully and spent enriching the lives of many others.
I was saddened to hear of her death. She will be missed.

Mrs Allison--I'm sure she had given names, but she will always be Mrs Allison to me--introduced me to hard-working Mike and his even harder-working steam shovel Maryann; the ambulatory camel, who dealt with the perils in her life with the utmost serenity; and the wonders of Dr Seuss (who we were all sure was a personal friend of hers if not she herself). She read to us with love and taught us all to love reading. She will remain with us all as long as there are books in our lives. Thank you...

I was a late-comer to the scene. I met Mrs. Allison when I married Susan Flannery. Mrs. Allison was like part of the family. In fact, I felt like she kind of adopted me. She always wanted me to call her "Lee.'' I honestly did my best. I tried. Just to please her. But she was so greatly admired -- almost a legend, really -- that I felt uncomfortable not addressing her as Mrs. Allison. Maybe it's a generational thing, too. Not sure. But, even when I was calling her "Lee" I was always thinking,...

I always refer to Mrs. Allison as the woman that taught me to read. The summer reading programs she sponsored at the library were a big part of my young life. As a young adult she challenged me to think outside my own references and take the larger view. She introduced me to Dusty Road Sundaes at Grunnings and made the best chocolate chip cookies.
It was an honor to know her.

Mrs. Allison was the warm and friendly face of the public libray to me as a child. She is the only person I remember from the Roseville Branch. She was always ready to recommend a good book and help with homework assignments.

She taught me how to sew when I was about 12 and its a skill I still put to good use.

I am afraid that she did not have as much success turning me into a pool player as she did turning me into a reader and a seamstress.

I will miss her but her...

Lee and I go way back to the Newark Public Library. She was my mentor when I started working there. I'm so happy that my daughter Susan and I got to see her in August. She will be missed. I'm sorry that I won't be able to get to her memorial service but she will be in my thoughts. Sue