Allen Childs Hocker

January 29, 1924 – August 17, 2025

Watertown, New York – Frisco, Texas

Celebration of Life Memorial Service:

A memorial service to honor the life of Allen Childs Hocker will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, TX 78703.

In celebration of Allen’s vibrant spirit, the family kindly requests that attendees wear bright colors!

Allen Hocker passed peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at her home in Frisco, Texas with her loving family by her side. Until the last few months of her 101 years, Allen had a very full and active life.

Mary Allen Childs was born in Watertown, New York in 1924. In 1928, her family moved to Dallas, Texas. They were long time members of St. Matthew's Cathedral in Dallas. Allen attended Woodrow Wilson High School, Hockaday Junior College, and Southern Methodist University. At 16 years of age, she met her best friend of 85 years, Floylee Goldberger. Around this time, Mary Allen dropped Mary from her name and began using Allen as her first name, honoring the name passed down through several generations.

Allen modeled for Neiman Marcus before moving to New York City at 19 years old. She worked as a ticket agent for American Airlines (AA) during WWII. Because she spoke fluent French and also learned Japanese, she was chosen to work in a secret room intercepting and deciphering messages for tracking ships and planes to help secure New York City and its harbor from enemy attacks. She was one of the lucky few of the AA employees who met General Dwight D. Eisenhower, before the WWII victory parade in NYC. She also volunteered for the American Red Cross.

After the war, she returned to Dallas. A coworker introduced Allen to Richard Hocker on a blind date. In 1952, they were married at St. Matthew's in Dallas and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where their five children were born and raised.

In Tulsa, Allen worked as a private travel agent for a bank that sent her around the world to compile lists of recommended destination hotels and restaurants for private clients. She retired when she had her first of five children. Her family attended Trinity Episcopal and St. John's Episcopal. Between managing early morning and evening swim practices, and swimming meets for her five children, Allen volunteered and fundraised for the Tulsa Opera, and many other nonprofit and worthy organizations. Among many talented opera stars, she hosted Italian operatic tenor, Luciano Pavarotti.

In 1993, Richard and Allen moved to Lakeway, Texas. The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin became their church home. As a member of St. Anne’s Women’s Guild, Allen supported various church initiatives including providing fellowship to new women members. She was also an active supporter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) who provide educational opportunities for women and the Austin Woman’s Club in support of educational and charitable activities and programs for women.

Richard and Allen loved to travel together, including trips to Hawaii, West Texas, California, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. After Richard passed in 1999, Allen continued to travel independently throughout Europe, four countries in South America (with her son Craig), Russia, and on alternating years with her grandchildren to Canada, Alaska, Colonial Williamsburg, and through U.S. National Parks. At 92 years old, Allen toured Prague with her daughter, Leslie.

Allen’s longevity can be attributed to a loving family, close friendships, a positive mindset, an active lifestyle, healthy eating, and a glass of red wine and EXTREMELY dark chocolate with every dinner. She could often be seen walking the hills of Lakeway or at the local gym where she had a personal trainer for 23 years.

Allen was an active member of Good Shepherd until 2022 when her children lovingly moved her to Frisco, Texas where her daughter, Hilary, cared for her in their home. Allen was thankful that she was able to watch services online.

Allen's ashes will be inurned in Good Shepherd's columbarium beside Richard. A celebration of life memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 30, 2:00. Allen loved to wear brightly colored, stylish clothing. To honor Allen, her family requests that all who attend the service WEAR BRIGHT COLORS!

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd: 3201 Windsor Rd, Austin, TX 78703

To honor Richard and Allen, the Hocker family has made donations to Good Shepherd’s organ fund, the Austin Woman’s Club, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization.

Survived By:

Her children; Leslie Hocker (Ron Forrester), Stacy Hocker Burgess (Larry), Keith Hocker (Kathy), Craig Hocker, and Hilary Hocker Clary. Her grandchildren; Madeline Drown (Stephen), Lauren Burgess, Matthew Clary, Elyse Burgess, Olivia Hocker, Sean Hocker, Sonja Forrester, and Shera Kakassy. Her great grandchildren; Phoebe Kate, Quaid, Blaine, and Leila. Her nieces; Pam Ventouras and Madeline Merritt and nephew; Kevin Gray. Her grand nephews and nieces; Octavio Ventouras, Felix Arthur Ventouras, Phoebe Ventouras, Laura Gray, and Joe Gray.

Predeceased By:

Her husband, Richard Leslie Hocker. Her parents; James Franklin Childs and Wilhelmina Elizabeth Allen Childs. Her sister, Norma Elizabeth (Betty) Childs Gray, (Joe).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Austin Woman's Club https://www.austinwomansclub.com/