Obituary of Marie Laura Therese "Therese" Allen

Laura Therese Allen, known as Therese passed away suddenly on June 20, 2014 at her residence at the Paintearth Lodge, Castor, Alberta at the age of 70. Therese was born on August 29, 1943 in Castor Alberta. She was the third child of five and the second daughter of Alphonse and Marguerite Dion. She grew up on a farm in the Bulwark area until the age of 6 years, when the family moved into Castor. Therese attended Theresetta Catholic School and was a part of the girl guides. To maintain her French speaking, she went to Auntie Laura Fetaz’s house every day after school for a year and was only allowed to speak French. Her reward for her hard work was a doll that she always treasured. On September 2, 1961 Therese married Clarence Allen. To this union 4 children were born, Laverne, Teny, Roberta and Lorne. As a stay at home mother, she enjoyed watching her children grow. She kept busy watching baseball and hockey, as well as going to many air cadet events. As well as raising her own children, Therese had a hand in raising several children in Castor. Her house was full of children that she babysat, often from a young age until they no longer needed to be babysat. Her house was a meeting place for friends to have coffee and for all family gatherings. In 1971, she met what would be her life partner Ted Gabert. Together they spent many hours camping at Big Knife Park and later became residents at Willow Grove Campground at Bashaw. She was a woman of many talents. She was an avid sewer, loved to crochet, knit and in her spare time could be found driving truck for the corral cleaners. Her family meant everything to her. She could often be found with her grandchildren feeding the ducks or at an ice cream stand. She spent hours at the swimming pool ensuring that her grandchildren passed their swimming lessons. In the winter, her time was spent at many hockey arenas in the stands, cheering on Clinton and Brandon. After losing her partner, she moved to the Paintearth Lodge, where she lived until her passing. Therese was predeceased by her partner Ted Gabert, her parents Alphonse and Marguerite Dion, her brother Paul Dion and grandson Peter Smith. She leaves to mourn her loving children: Laverne Allen, Teny (Darrell) Lang, Roberta (Wayne) Smith, Lorne (Annette) Allen as well as 7 grandchildren: Courtney (Justin) Patterson, Evan McCarvill, Michael Smith, Clinton (Lundie) Allen, Brandon Allen, Jordan Stonehouse, and Jaxon Allen. Also mourning her loss are two brothers, Maurice (Bernie) Dion, Lucien (Gloria) Dion and one sister Jeanette (Allan) Marshall as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. A Celebration of Therese’s life and a luncheon will be held at the Lighthouse Church in Castor, on Saturday, June 28, 2014 from 12 Noon to 4:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Paintearth Lodge or to Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital Foundation.