Karen M. Allen

Karen Maureen Lawrence Allen Karen Allen, longtime resident of Bowie, MD, died peacefully at home on Feb. 14 after a three-year battle with endometrial cancer. She was 67 years old. Karen was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend and she will be missed dearly by the many people who love her. Karen loved to read, write, travel and spend time with family and friends. She was a published author, an active volunteer and a lifelong church member. She liked to be outside -- walking, swimming, animal watching, kayaking, shelling or simply enjoying a beautiful sunset. She also loved teaching and made it her life's work. Karen was a beautiful person, inside and out. Our world is a dimmer place without her light. Karen was born Sept. 5, 1942 in South Bend, Indiana. She graduated from Indiana State University in 1964 and has a Master's Degree from American University. She and her husband taught adult education workshops across the country for many years and worked extensively with the American Indian community while raising a family. She also taught English for 19 years at Gwynn Park, Forestville and Bowie high schools before retiring in 2007. Karen is survived by her beloved husband of 47 years Gary Gene Allen; daughter Lisa Allen Belk and husband David of Charlotte, NC; sons Chris Allen and wife Cathy of Blacksburg, SC, and Tim Allen and wife Eba Elorza of Severna Park, MD; her parents Wayne Sr. and Ruth Lawrence of New Holland, Pa.; brother Wayne "Larry" Lawrence Jr. and wife Sybil of Lancaster, Pa.; sister Linda Gregory of Indianapolis, In.; six adoring grandchildren and many extended family members. A memorial service is planned at Matthew's United Methodist Church in Bowie, Maryland at noon on March 13. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center Email lengel2@jhmi.edu Arrangements are in care of Beall Funeral Home, www.beallfuneral.com.