Sally Sprague Allen of Osterville, MA, formerly of Westfield, NJ and Orchid, FL, passed away quickly and peacefully on January 19, 2020 at 90 years old. A descendent of the Joslin and Sprague families whose origins in this country date from Pilgrim times, she graduated from Wheaton College. She was the very proud mother of three daughters: Janet Voute (Peter), Judi Allen and Betsy Sinnigen (Jack.) Her beloved husband of 64 years, Gordon E Allen, died almost exactly four years ago.
She particularly loved being the active and creative grandmother of Caroline, Alexandra and Charlotte Voute, Margaret and Ross Mulkerrin, and Christine, John and Kyle Sinnigen, planning games, doing arts and crafts and going on summer outings. Her oversight, organization and enthusiasm created lasting bonds and tight cousin connections for all eight grandchildren who now live around the world. In 2018, she proudly became grandmother-in-law to Xande Wright and Elizabeth Silliman.
In addition to her deep love of her family, Sally was committed to her faith, public education and her community. She was a consummate volunteer and very active in leadership roles over her life including The Presbyterian Church of Westfield, NJ, the Parent Teacher Council and the Board of Education of Westfield’s public schools. She was also a founding member of the Westfield Foundation. In Osterville, where she and her husband retired 35 years ago, she was the president of The Garden Club,helped to feed the homeless through St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and was a bridge and golf-playing member of Oyster Harbors Club and The Beach Club of Centerville, MA. She was also a member of the chorus of Orchid Island Club in Orchid, FL.
She loved boats, the beach, flowers, card games, golf, international travel and big family lobster dinners. When she wasn’t listening to or singing Broadway show tunes in her lovely soprano voice, she was a gourmet cook and an excellent hostess for parties large and small.
Her burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, PO Box 36, Hyannis, MA 02601 or www.needyfund.org.
