Shelly D. Allen

Shelly Diane (Curless) Allen was born in Forsyth, Montana on October 11, 1940, and passed on July 15, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Shelly was a loving daughter to her parents and an adoring big sister to all her siblings. She graduated from Alvin High School in 1958 at the age of seventeen. She went on to earn her nursing degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Galveston, graduating in 1961 and immediately began her career as a registered nurse.

While working at UTMB hospital, she met a handsome young medical student and, on May 4th, 1963, she married Dr. Charles Wesley Allen with whom she shared sixty-two loving years. Their devotion to each other was a wonderful example and a gift to their children and grandchildren.

Shelly was an extraordinary mother of three children: Chip Allen (preceded her in death), Amy Allen Frizzell, and Jennifer Allen Prasifka. She adored both of her sons-in-law, Jean Frizzell and Matt Prasifka, and treated them as her own. She was a cherished grandmother to Storey Frizzell, Charlie Frizzell (Nicole), Jake Frizzell, Ben Prasifka and Addy Prasifka.

Shelly loved people. She was genuinely interested in others, and the most important thing in her life was her family and friends. She made new friends easily and also maintained deep relationships that spanned many decades. Shelly was a fun and loyal person and took amazing care of her people.

Her love for people was reflected both in her ability to truly listen to people and in her deep and tireless commitment to service. She was always first to volunteer, whether serving as school nurse for St. Pius V Catholic School, PTA President, or any of the other countless roles she played to give back and help others. These “formal” service roles, as important as they were, paled in comparison to how she helped others in personal interactions, always ready to lend an empathetic ear or to jump into action however needed. You were lucky to have Shelly in your foxhole.

When the kids were growing up Shelly kept an open door, an open refrigerator, and an open heart. The kids’ friends were always welcome. The Allen’s house was the home in the neighborhood where everyone wanted to hang out.

She loved flowers, decorating, throwing parties, and especially bringing people together. Holidays in her home were full of love, laughter, and joyful chaos—all thanks to her generous spirit.

Shelly was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and gave of herself in service to the Pasadena Junior Forum, the Harris County Medical Auxiliary, and Mu Alpha (Chapter of Epsilon), among others. She especially cherished her time with Mu Alpha where she forged lifelong friendships and many benefitted from her time and generosity.

In her final moments, with Amy and Jennifer by her side, holding her hands, she passed away peacefully and is now with her beloved son Chip, whom she so dearly missed.

The family welcomes you to join them in celebrating the beautiful life of Shelly Allen.

A visitation will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home, located at 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598, on July 23, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The funeral mass will take place at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 15500 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062 on July 24, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Memorial donations in Shelly’s honor may be made to:

Hope Village

15403 Hope Village Road

Friendswood, Texas 77546