Jacquelin Bowen Allen

Jacquelin Bowen Allen, 81, often referred to as Jackie, peacefully passed away on Monday, May 9, 2016 in Austin, Texas, surrounded by her family. Jackie, born Jacquelin Gunnison Bowen, was born on November 23, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York to Francis Wendell Bowen and Blanche Eaton Gunnison, she was an only child. Jackie moved from New York to California when her father was transferred and from there she graduated from Palo Alto High School and then attended San Jose State and the University of Arizona, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. During her time in the sorority she met her future husband, Pete Allen, who worked as a waiter (hasher) for Alpha Phi. After many requests for a date she finally relented and they were married on August 25, 1956 in Woodside, California at Our Lady of the Wayside Roman Catholic Church. The following year Jackie left school to be a loving wife to her husband and their newborn daughter, Debra. Together Jackie and Pete had three more children, John, Lynda and David. They eventually resided in Houston, Texas, where she spent her time and energy raising her children, driving carpool, cheering on sidelines and attending endless spaghetti suppers. During that time she was a member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Church and worked for the Yesteryear Shop at the Houston Heritage Society. After her husband's retirement they moved to a beautiful home on Lake LBJ in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. From there they moved to Longhorn Village, a retirement community in Austin, Texas.

Jackie was preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her husband, four children, Debra Allen McGregor, John Earl Allen, Lynda Allen Dwyer, and David Hayden Allen; eleven grandchildren, Blake Allen Gray, Megan McGregor Mitchell, Paige Allen Kriegel, Kaitlyn McGregor, Reed McGregor, Jacquelin Dwyer, Claire Dwyer, Adelaide Dwyer, Luke Allen, Thomas Allen and Trey Allen, and affectionately known as Mommon by them.

The family is especially thankful for the help of the caregivers of Casa Mesquite II at Longhorn Village and Heart to Heart Hospice. They also want to express their deep appreciation to Anne Morley, her friend and trainer, and Nellie Michalski, her caregiver.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016 at the Lakeway Church, 2203 Lakeway Blvd., Lakeway, Texas 78734. Funeral services at Earthman Hunters Creek Funeral Home, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024 are pending. Graveside services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Inn Along the Way, P.O. Box 1133, Damariscotta, Maine 04543 or the Lakeway Church.