Ruth Marie "Nelson" Allen

Ruth Marie (Nelson) Allen, 99, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on September 18, 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Valborg (Hjort) Nelson and the devoted wife of the late William A. Allen.

Ruth was a lifelong learner and passionate educator. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in 1949, where she met the love of her life, U.S. Naval officer, Golden Gloves boxer, and World War II veteran, Bill Allen. They met in Spanish class, where Bill was struggling to get through a timed oral recitation in front of the entire class, and Ruth, as the timekeeper, saved him by announcing (prematurely) "Time's up!" Ruth continued her education by obtaining a Master of Education from Temple University in 1968. For more than 25 years, she served as a Special Education Teacher with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22, where her compassion, patience, and dedication made a lasting difference in the lives of countless students and families. She remained close friends with her students for years after her teaching career ended, hosting dinners and backyard barbecues for her students at the family home on Richwood Road in Somerton, Northeast Philadelphia.

A woman of deep faith and community involvement, Ruth was a member of East Hills Moravian Church and Central Moravian Church, where she sang in the choir and remained actively engaged. She was also a former member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Feasterville. In her early years in Minneapolis, she was privileged to sing under the renowned choral conductor, Peter Tkach, at Central Lutheran Church.

Ruth was an active member of the League of Women Voters and remained deeply engaged in civic life, proudly casting her vote for Joe Biden in 2020. She found great joy in reading, especially books that inspired learning and reflection and enjoyed "Great Books" club retreats to Colby College with Bill. Having grown up in the "Land of Ten Thousand Lakes," Ruth loved nothing more than watching majestic loons flapping against a painted sunset over the water, their haunting calls breaking the silence of the mist-covered lake. Summers were spent in Canada, at the family cabin on Blackjack Island on lovely Lower Beverly Lake in the quaint town of Delta, Ontario. Ruth bought two lots on the island as a surprise birthday gift for Bill in 1975, and by the next summer, the legendary A-frame cabin was built, where so many cherished family memories were made. Ruth often told us that the many beautiful little islands there happened when "God decided to sprinkle jewels on Lower Beverly Lake." We were happy to learn that there was no shortage of Philadelphia Flyers fans in Delta, Ontario in 1975, as the "Welcome to Delta, Population 420" sign that greeted us on arrival into town was adorned with a Flyers NHL champions sticker.

Ruth embraced life with curiosity, gratitude, and a genuine appreciation for the world around her. She traveled extensively throughout Europe, and especially loved visiting Switzerland.

She is survived by her loving children, Craig Allen and his wife Paola, Carol Sarao, William "Rusty" Allen II and his companion Kathleen, and Laura Cunningham and her fiancé Tom; her cherished grandchildren, Bridget and her husband Jared, Shane, Brendan and his wife Gabriella, Christopher and his wife Taryn, Connor, and Giorgio; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Josie, Jayla, Faye, and Lachlan. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her siblings, Louise Snedecor, Carolyn Flory, and Paul Nelson.

Ruth will be remembered for her gentle spirit, unwavering kindness, devotion to education, and the deep love she shared with her family and community. She was kind to all. Her home was always open to friends and families of all races, religions, creeds and political beliefs. When her daughter Carol was on the road playing with one of her bands, Carol's bedroom in Somerton became home to any of her musician friends who were down on their luck or needed a place to stay. On visiting her home in Somerton, one family friend likened it to visiting a Parisian salon, for the depth of vibrant intellectual and social exchange that often took place.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28 at The Old Chapel of Central Moravian Church, Heckewelder Place, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Calling hours will be held on Friday evening, February 27, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ruth's memory to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, Greater Lehigh Valley Pocono Region, Attn: Donations, 2158 Avenue C, Suite 201, Bethlehem, PA 18017.