JANET ALLON

ALLON--Janet. Janet Wickenhaver Allon, age 63, died on February 17, 2024. The cause was GPA vasculitis. She worked as senior director for public affairs at Global Strategy Group. She also served as associate commissioner at the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. Born in Abington, Pennsylvania, Allon earned her BA from Wesleyan University and a Master's from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. She spent most of her career as a journalist, including a stint as a reporter for the City Section of The New York Times. While working as an editor at the Manhattan Spirit, she wrote a series in 1992 about Larry Hogue, a schizophrenic homeless man who symbolized the failures of New York's mental health system, attracting national coverage and leading to change in the State's mental hygiene laws. She continued her crusade to give voice to the voiceless as editor of Street News, a publication written and distributed by the homeless. An avid tennis fan, she was happiest playing doubles with her fellow aficionados or watching a match on TV. She also loved being in nature and could spend hours digging her hands in soil. Most of all, she loved her family fiercely. She is survived by her partner of 11 years, Larry, her children, Jonah, Tess, and Lena, her sister Barbara, brother-in-law Gordon, niece Pamela, nephew Robert, and her yappy terrier mix, Cami.