Martha Allen, née Walker, was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Jeanette Thill and Joseph F. Walker on July 17, 1945. She graduated from Clarke University in Dubuque in 1967, continuing her education and earning her Masters of Education, specializing in Reading from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1978 and her Doctorate in Reading, from California Coast University - both summa cum laude.
She married Patrick Joseph Allen on December 30, 1967 in Dubuque, Iowa. She had a great passion for education and served as an educator for fifty years, primarily at Eastwood Heights Elementary School and as an adjunct professor for the University of Texas at El Paso for the past 8 years in El Paso, Texas. She cared deeply for and found great joy in her students and epitomized the excellence of an educator.
Marti is preceded in death by her parents, Jeanette and Joseph Walker. Marti is survived by her loving husband, Patrick, her children Jennifer Gillaspy, Jessica and Duston Cazares, Meagan and Todd Walker, and Craig Allen and Jeremy Mims, her sister Mary Tully and brother Joseph Walker, and 5 grandchildren: Avery, Lainey, Gideon, Lexi and Felicity. Marti joyfully embraced so many of her friends and counted them as family.
Rosary and celebration of life will be 6:00 pm Sunday, December 2nd at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, 3235 Lombardy Lane in Dallas, TX. Memorial mass will be held 11:00 am Monday, December 3rd at St. Monica Catholic Church in Dallas, TX with Fr. Michael Guadagnoli, officiating. Private interment will follow at a later date at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.
An additional memorial mass will be held at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, December 4th at St. Raphael Catholic Church El Paso, Texas with Monsignor Francis Smith officiating.
Memorials may be given to the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.
The memory of Marti will forever be cherished in the hearts of her husband, children, sons-in-law, grandchildren, siblings, friends, family, co-workers and thousands of students, who have been abundantly blessed and gently encouraged by the gifts she so easily shared with all. Her Legacy of love, education, and commitment will live on in the lives of those who knew her.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation and thanks for the love, friendship, prayers, and support given by everyone.
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