Ms. Christine Sprague Allen

1951 - 2013

WILLIAMSBURG - Christine Sprague Allen, 62, of South Street, Williamsburg, died peacefully at home Sunday Dec. 29.
Christine was born to Lois Bates and Barton Bruce Allen and raised for many years by Evelyn and Ralph Payson, all of Westhampton. Her family includes daughter Leonika Allen and son-in-law Michael Gourley; sisters Mary Allen, Mary Laprade, Marion Miller, and Charlotte Wood; and brothers Peter Allen and Russell Payson.
Christine happily lived her life in Westhampton and Williamsburg, though she traveled far and wide around the world. She was a graduate of Williamsburg High School and earned a bachelor's degree in American studies and economics from Smith College.
A passionate, life-long environmentalist (before "green" became fashionable) Christine embodied the concepts of "fresh," "local" and "recycle" in her friends, colleagues, neighbors, and generations of young people. She embraced the practice of buying locally and was a firm believer that if she couldn't buy it in Williamsburg, she didn't really need it. She liked to look at and talk with the people she bought from.
A fiercely independent thinker, an attribute she inherited from her dad, Christine lived life consciously and encouraged everyone she came in contact with to do the same. For her, life was always an adventure. From simple pleasures like swimming at the DAR at dawn and Saturday morning trips to the dump, to crawling through dark caves in Belize or exploring the island of Santorini, travel was a passion. Always opting for the full cultural experience of each country she visited, Christine traveled off the beaten path.
A true supporter of public radio and the arts, Christine celebrated the talent of local artists, musicians, restaurateurs and performers - filling her home with lively music, eclectic artwork and fabulous food. She encouraged her friends to do the same.
A keen observer and curious, she delighted in how all of life would unfold around her. Walks in the woods, wildlife and bird watching, and kayaking on local waterways were some of the activities she enjoyed. Being outdoors was always her goal. Her gardens were an amazing mix of color and unusual beauty, and often served as an educational experience for friends and neighbors. Nobody ever escaped without a baby plant or cutting, and many local gardens are populated with the plants she would share.
Christine also cultivated many friendships and created a diverse and interesting circle of friends. She loved to cook and entertain - always saving the dishes to wash the next day, saying it allowed her to enjoy the party all over again. Her parties were memorable. Her spark and her spirit remain with us all.
Conversely, she loved solitude and living alone. She never met a book she didn't like.
Christine had a wide range of work experiences from poultry farming (she loved chickens) and agriculture, to direct mail marketing and catalog development. Locals will remember her as a partner in the catering company, Peppercorns, and her special way of making every celebration a gastronomic and visual event. She found passion in her professional life, spending many years developing archival storage and preservation products for museums and libraries. She truly loved working with customers, and made lifelong friends of many colleagues all over the world.
In honor of Christine's contributions to the industry she was so passionate about, three companies she worked with for many years - University Products in Holyoke, Gaylord Brothers of Syracuse, N.Y., and Hollinger Metal Edge of Commerce, Calif., and Williamsburg, Va., - have together established an annual scholarship in her name. The Christine Allen Award will make it possible for a student to attend The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections conference, one her favorite gatherings.
Above all else, Christine was most proud that she raised a happy, smart, independent child. Her daughter Leonika and son-in-"love" Mike were her constant joy.
Christine's kindness and bravery, volunteerism and civic mindedness, unfettered friendships and lust for life will be remembered by many. A celebration is planned for the spring/summer, at her request. Contributions in her name can be made to the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter, 315 Norwood Park South, Norwood, MA 02062, or Meekins Library, PO Box 772, Williamsburg, MA 01096.
"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust