Dolores "Dee" McAllonis

Dolores “Dee” Elaine Sparr McAllonis, age 91, of Pittsburgh and Lower Burrell, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2018. She was the beloved mother of daughter Debra “Debbie” Lynn McAllonis, and her husband Eric Thomas Streicher. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry J. and Anna (“Ann”) B. Van Deusen Sparr and her husband Raymond “Ray” William McAllonis (December 13, 2015). A memorial service will be held at HP Brandt Funeral Home, Inc., Ross Twp., (412-364-4444) on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Details about the memorial service are available and condolences may be offered at www.brandtfuneralhome.com .

Dee graduated from Dormont High School on June 7, 1943. Her first job was at Gulf Oil Corporation as a payroll clerk and secretary. She worked as a legal secretary at several Pittsburgh area law firms for the remainder of her working life, including the law firm where her mother, Ann, was a receptionist. When she retired (early 1990s), she had been doing paralegal trust and estate work for the law firm, Litman, Litman, Harris, and Brown. She found passion in her work and enjoyed helping clients get their estate and financial affairs in order.

Dee met Ray McAllonis at Danceland in West View, PA. It wasn’t easy for her to get there. She had to take two or three buses to get to West View from where she lived in Dormont, PA. While Dee had many interested dancing partners, she kept coming back to that tall, handsome and well-dressed young man who resembled John Wayne. That was Ray. When dancing turned into something more, they decided to move the relationship to the next step. Without much notice, on a snowy Thanksgiving weekend in Winchester, Virginia on November 27, 1953, they got married.

Ray and Dee worked hard, played hard and included their daughter, Debbie, in all their activities while she was growing up. And, let’s not forget all the pets over the years! Many kitties, one dog and one rabbit. Their last kitty, Muffy, was member of the family for more than 20 years. Ray and Dee enjoyed their time away from work camping, boating and entertaining friends. Whether they were traveling in their motorhome locally or further away in Florida, boating off of Neville Island on the Ohio River, spending long weekends at their Camp Eriez mobile home, or simply “hanging around the house” on Ben Avon Heights Road, they welcomed friends and family with open acceptance of all situations. The parties were fun, loud and, sometimes, outrageous! The neighbors, the Danylo family, became close friends and were invaluable in helping Ray and Dee live independently in their later years. Dee loved the time spent with Ray and friends at Camp Eriez so much that she asked that her ashes be spread on that Lake Erie shoreline.

Dee was a great mom, wife, daughter and friend to all who knew her. She was an avid reader of romance novels (particularly ones with pets), managed the family finances well and became a faithful nurse to Ray during his declining years. She loved to tell jokes and make people laugh, even if a bit off color from time to time. Dee was vocal on presidential politics and loved to watch golf on TV. After she moved to Bayberry Place, we all agreed that she adopted Debbie’s husband, Eric, as a son. Eric was a frequent visitor and a good listener, getting all the things on her many lists and helping her operate the computer and the TV. Dee will be remembered fondly by all the staff, caregivers and fellow residents at Bayberry Place, as well as her caregivers from Gateway Hospice.

Donations will be accepted by Dee’s favorite charity, Animal Friends @ ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org (412-847-7000).