Donald Mack Allen

He passed away at the Oak Crest Senior Living Community after a long illness. He and his wife, Susan, had lived there since 2015.

Don was born in New York City, the only child of Fanny and Bernard Allen. His parents divorced when he was 8 and he and his mother lived in Upper Manhattan. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, a prestigious high school in New York, and continued to excel, graduating from City College of New York (CCNY) dubbed the “Harvard of the working class” with a degree in Accounting.

Early on at CCNY, Don met the love of his life, Susan Margolies, at a party and after a few short months, they became inseparable. They married in 1956 and enjoyed travelling, classical music, playing bridge and poker, and parties with friends and family. In 1963, their son Jeff was born and their daughter Lisa followed quickly in 1965.

By this time, Don’s work had moved into the financial arena, and he was able to combine his love of travel with finance. In 1966, the family moved to Switzerland for a year and a half so Don could take advantage of an international job offer. While in Switzerland, he and Susan were able to travel throughout Europe, and hike and ski the Swiss Alps. The family moved back to the US at the end of 1967, but in 1969 were on the move again to Hong Kong. Don continued to work throughout the Far East with Pepsi Cola Corporation and worked with groups in China, Japan, India, Thailand, Singapore and other countries to expand the Far East brand. The family was able to take advantage of the Hong Kong British Crown Colony culture, schooling and family vacations to Japan and Switzerland. The family moved back to the US and Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1973, before setting down roots in Timonium, Maryland in 1979.

After their children grew up, Don and Susan enjoyed square dancing at a high level, and danced in the Baltimore, Pennsylvania and Washington DC areas. In the 1990s, Don was a financial consultant with international organizations and he lived in Bangladesh, Khazikstan as well as the Czech Republic for extended times. His wife, Susan, joined him for the year he worked in Prague and they used square dancing and Susan’s English teaching classes to meet people and travel throughout Europe once again.

In addition to his wife Susan, Don is survived by his son Jeffrey (Jeff), his daughter Lisa, son-in-law Chris, grandchildren Erin and Joshua, his brother-in-law Alan Margolies and sister-in-law Esta-Gail Margolies and other friends and family. He was preceded in passing by his brother-in-law Michael Margolies.

The funeral service will be held at the Oakcrest Senior Living Community Chapel on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 3pm with interment to follow at a later date.

Please send memorial donations to the Oakcrest Senior Living Community, Employee Scholarship Fund, 8800 Walther Blvd, Parkville, MD 21234.