Catherine Wit Allen

Catherine (Katie) was born on June 6, 1944, in Coatesville, PA to parents Samuel and Catherine Wit. She graduated from the University of Illinois in June 1968 with a BS in Home Economics.

Katie followed a career in retail marketing including Carson Pirie Scott, Chicago; J. E. Caldwell, Philadelphia; Brielle China and Gifts, Point Pleasant, NJ; Bamberger’s Department Stores, Newark, NJ; Hitchcock Chair Co, Guilford, CT; Carey’s Luggage and Gifts, Elmira, NY; L S Ayer’s Department Stores, Merrillville, IN; Emma’s Antiques, Chesterton, IN; City of Valparaiso, IN; and the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce. Her career followed her husband’s railroad career, which involved many company transfers.

She married Charles H (Chuck) Allen in Arlington Heights, IL, on August 27, 1966. The couple had one child together. Katie was a loving and supportive mother and grandmother, known to her grandchildren as “Mimi”.

In addition to her retail career, she was an avid tennis player, and won local recreational championships in Elmira, NY and Valparaiso, IN. She played on many traveling tennis teams while living in Indiana. Katie was also an avid gardener. Her friends will always remember her as a vibrant person, active in her career, tennis, and supporting her daughter and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her Father Samuel Wit of Arlington Heights, IL.

Katie is survived by her husband of 57 years, Charles H Allen of Austin, TX; her mother, Catherine Wit of Arlington Heights, IL; Sister Stasia Wit Porter of N. Augusta, SC; Brother Samuel Wit of Cary, IL; Brother Jon Wit of Arlington Heights, IL; Daughter Dr. Catherine (Katy) Allen of Austin, TX; Grandson Charles (Charlie) Fournier, Austin, TX; Grandson Brendan Fournier, Austin, TX; and Granddaughter Anneliese Fournier of Austin, TX.

A reception will be held at her home, 1204 Grand Champion Dr. Austin, TX on Sunday March 3, 2024, from 2 to 4 pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Katie’s life.

To commemorate and honor the life of Katie, the family has established a scholarship in her name. Katie believed in the value of education and was proud to be both the daughter of a nurse and the mother of a nurse. Additionally, her family is grateful for the exceptional nursing care she received during her year-long battle with leukemia. Please consider a gift to The Catherine W. Allen Memorial Nursing Endowed Scholarship at St. Edward's University, 3001 S Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 or online here. The scholarship will provide transformational support for nursing students in perpetuity. Contact Anne Westdyke at 512.492.3147 or [email protected] for more information.