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CLAIRE RENO ALLEN

CLAIRE ALLEN Obituary

CLAIRE RENO ALLEN (Age 89)
Formerly of Arlington, VA, died peacefully January 21, 2015 in Charlotte, NC, surrounded by family as she entered eternal life in Christ. She was the beloved wife of COL Eugene W. Allen, USA (Ret.); cherished mother of Phyllis (Walter) Harper, Carole (Matthew) Lechleitner, Virginia (Otto Mueller) Allen, Eugene Allen, Jr., Mary Frances (Stephen) Love, Andrea (Brian) Baker, and Joseph Allen; grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. She left a lasting imprint of her gracious and generous spirit on all who knew her. She was honored as 1985 American Mothers DC Mother of the Year. Her service as an Arlington National Cemetery Arlington Lady and Department of the Army Volunteer Consultant for Army Community Service exemplified her years of passionate and dedicated support and advocacy for Army families. She will be remembered for her genuine love and care for the members and their families of The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own), where her husband served as Leader and Commander, 1976 - 1990. Memorial service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery are pending. Visit eugeneandclaireallen.com for more information. Memorial gifts may be made to Army Emergency Relief, 200 Stovall St., Room 5S33, Alexandria, VA 22332.

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Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for CLAIRE ALLEN

20 Entries

Janice Somerville

May 16, 2015

Mrs. Claire Allen is part of our wedding memories!

Greg Corcoran

March 11, 2015

I'm so thankful for all the love she showed to me after the of my mother in 1977. She cared for me, and allowed me to spend time with her during a difficult time in my life. May The Lord continue to bless the entire family during this time of personal loss.

Linda Waid

February 19, 2015

Claire Allen will be missed by many of us that knew her and will treasure the many wonderful memories of her.

Carolyn Kessler

February 19, 2015

Mrs Allen was a very warm hearted woman and when I was with her it felt like I was with my own sweet mother.

Sareta and Bryan

Bryan and Sareta Shelburne

February 3, 2015

Remarkably "compassionate, amazingly "caring," wisely "comprehending," and warmly "consoling." There really just are not enough words, but for Claire they would all have to be good ones!!!!

Jim Wishart

February 2, 2015

I always felt that Mrs. Allen cared for every member of our Band and all of our families as part of her family. She was an extremely kind woman and a model representative for our Band and by extension our Armed Forces. A great thing about The Army Band is that it has a very long memory and you're never really gone as long as you're still remembered. Mrs. Allen will always be fondly remembered for a lifetime of service.

Beverley Benda

February 2, 2015

Miss Claire always had a smile and a kind word when she was the First Lady of the Army Band. A light has gone out here but we are thankful for her having been with us. She will always be a part of "Pershing's Own."

Roger Rossi

February 2, 2015

I served under Col. Allen for 14years and thought he and Mrs. Allen were truly passionate wonderful people. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. SGM roger Rossi

Ward and Judy LeHardy

February 1, 2015

Dear Claire,

Even though you are not with us, we know you are with the Lord, and you are at peace.

We first met at Ft. Campbell, and you and Gene instantly became our dear pals...and became Godparents to Ward Jr. who was born there; and we later became Godparents of Andrea. Can't get much closer than that. And all the times we had together during the years...Norfolk, West Point, sailing on the Potomac and in the BVIs,Washington, DC area...and our kids and yours were dear friends...always...just a total common bond was and still remains. And now you have left us...physically...but not in spirit. Your gracious, calm manner and your devotion to Gene and to your family and dear friends remains...from afar, yet still vibrant in our hearts.

We will always love you and cherish the memories...and we will be checking on Gene as soon as we can after our trip around the world is completed...late April, 2015.

Uuntil we meet again...Blessings, dear Claire.

February 1, 2015

Claire: Bright & warm as a sunbeam. Beautiful & precious as a snowflake. Thank you for sharing your light with us while you were here on Earth. Our love for you is deep and eternal.

catherine difani

February 1, 2015

As a former Army band spouse, I saw Mrs. Allen's love and care while planning special holiday events for the TUSAB families. I was fortunate to have visited them several times within the past year while they were living at The Jefferson in Arlington. We will all miss Mrs. Allen. God bless your family especially during this difficult time.
Cathy Kleinfeldt Difani

February 1, 2015

Messages can also be left at eugeneandclaireallen.com. Thank you!

Glenn and Mary Holtz

February 1, 2015

Mary and I enjoyed them both for years while on the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors. They were dear friends and now we'll miss them. Our love to the family.

Connie and Dick Ecton

February 1, 2015

When Claire entered the room it was as tho someone just turned on the lights. She was dear to us. Rest in peace dearest Claire.

Jim Kee

February 1, 2015

Thank you Claire for giving so much to the Colonel, your family, your friends and your country. You were a woman of noble character of which no one can surpass. Heaven is brighter. Our loss is the Lord's gain. May your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren remember and reflect on your example.

doug brown

February 1, 2015

Mrs. Allen set a standard as the First Lady of The United States Army Band that cannot be dublicated. She was always supportive of Colonel Allen and the Band and will live on in our hearts!

Michael Dudley

February 1, 2015

Colonel Allen and Family,

Please accept my deepest condolences. Mrs. Allen was a gracious lady who always had a ready smile, encouraging words and great loyalty to The United States Army Band.

Mike Dudley

Stanley Michalski

February 1, 2015

Mrs. Michalski and I were deeply saddened by the news of Claire's passing. I will always cherish the memory of Claire as a cheerful friend, devoted wife and honorable mother and grandmother.

She always cared about others. Claire had a positive attitude toward everyone and everything around her. She was so warm and wise and understanding. She thoughtfully cared for me when I stayed at their home at Ft. Myers when conducting DAD's Band.

Although we lost a friend, wife and mother, Claire will always remain as a cherished part of our lives.

May the many fond memories be a source of comfort and the sorrows lessened with cheerful thoughts of the wonderful years Claire graced us with her presence, service and devotion.

Sincerely,

Wanda Morris

February 1, 2015

Rest in Peace

February 1, 2015

My condolences to the family. I found it helpful to persevere in prayer to the God of all comfort. He promises to fortify you, strengthen you and help you endure during your grieving process. (Romans 12:12)

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