Marie A McAllister

Marie Avenell McAllister 100, passed away at her home on April 20, 2022. Marie was a very avid bowler. For 70 years she participated in and spearheaded countless bowling leagues in Columbus’s bowling establishments. She participated in many Local, State, and National Tournaments. One of her greatest personal accomplishments was participating in 50 annual USBC National Bowling Tournaments, visiting 39 cities and 26 states along the way.

Marie was a bowling coach for the YABA youth bowling association spanning a 40-year career coaching Central Ohio youth bowlers at Fiesta and Sequoia Lanes. She was also a 60-year member of the Columbus Women’s Bowling Association (CWBA), serving on many committees and holding many offices, including 30 years as a Director. In 1997 Marie was inducted into the CWBA Bowling Hall of Fame.

Aside from bowling, she was a very active volunteer in the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), ushering at the Ohio Theater, RKO Palace, Vets Memorial, The Southern Theater, and The Wexner Center. She also volunteered her time at First Night Columbus and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI). Marie was a member of Maize Manor United Methodist Church where she volunteered as well.

Marie also had a strong passion for travel. Late in her 90s, she was visiting and site seeing in San Francisco. She was very proud to say that she had visited all 50 States. She also traveled abroad including London England, Panama, Costa Rico, and the Bahamas, to name a few.

But her true love and joy were for her family and Grandchildren. Marie loved attending family gatherings for birthdays and Holidays and watching her Grandchildren bowl. She is survived by her two Children Susan Biller (Jess) and Mark McAllister. She has 10 Grandchildren, 26 Great Grandchildren, and 11 Great-Great Grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband James O. McAllister, sons Larry and David, mother Irma McCoy, Father Marvin Lyons, and brother Roy Lyons.