Martha "Moddie" Ryan Allen

Martha Ryan Allen ("Moddie") died peacefully on April 6, 2022, in Burlington, Vermont, at age 93.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 69 years, Colonel Walter Gordon Allen, Ret., (West Point Class of 1945) in December 2019.

She is survived by her four children: Mary Zebrowski ("Mimi") of Erie, Pennsylvania; J. Riley Allen of Montpelier, Vermont; Margaret Joshua ("Maggie") of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; and Kathryn Allen ("Katie") of Alexandria, Virginia; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was posthumously survived by her devoted son Gordon Doane Allen, deceased in September 2023.

Moddie was raised in Washington, D.C. where she attended St. Ann's Catholic School, Immaculata Preparatory High School, and Georgetown Visitation Junior College. During her life as a dedicated Army wife, Moddie moved with her husband and children throughout the U.S. and Germany. She lived decades in Arlington, VA followed by Nuremberg, Germany; Osprey, FL; Montpelier, VT, and then Bethany Beach, DE. Finally, Moddie moved to Vermont with her husband in 2014. (Her father, Daniel Joseph Ryan, hailed from Fairfield, VT.) For the last seven years of her life, she resided in Burlington, VT.

After raising her five children, Moddie received a bachelor's degree in Drama from George Mason University. She went on to earn a law degree in 1982 and served as a legislative assistant to former U.S. Senator Claude Pepper from Florida. Moddie also worked as a successful realtor and as a personal assistant to the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Moddie was a devout Irish Catholic and an independent spirit. She seemed happiest when surrounded by her immediate and extended family along with her many lifelong school friends. She had the energy and drive to take up tennis at age 66 and found a special joy in gardening whether planting vibrant azaleas or endlessly weeding through a yard full of pachysandra. Moddie had an infectious laugh and adoring smile. She lit up a room and loved others gently teasing her about her adorable quirks. She had the ability to make everyone feel special. Moddie had natural grace and beauty. She was the center of any gala event due to her endearing personality and her natural love of people, life, and laughter. She was forever young.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 6th at 2:00 pm at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, 204 Lee Avenue, Ft. Myer, VA. followed immediately by burial at Arlington National Cemetery. A reception will follow at Ft. Myer Patton Hall, Fife and Drum Room, 214 Jackson Avenue, Ft. Myer, VA. Guests attending the Mass are asked to arrive not later than 2:00 pm.

Important Security detail: Admission to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (AKA Fort Myer Army Base) requires a security approval completed prior to the funeral date of Monday, November 6, 2023. You may complete this form at the link below. Admittance to Ft. Myer may be delayed if the form is not submitted prior to the funeral.

https://home.army.mil/jbmhh/index.php/my-fort/all-services/access-gate-info