Carol Coghlan Allen

1928 - 2017

Carol Coghlan Allen obituary, 1928-2017, Raleigh, NC

BORN

1928

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory

300 Saint Mary's Street

Raleigh, North Carolina

Carol Allen Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 12, 2017.

Carol Coghlan Allen, 89, died peacefully of natural causes on Sunday morning, September 10, at Stewart Health Center at Springmoor in North Raleigh. Mrs. Allen was born in New York City on January 12, 1928. She was the daughter of Walter and Florence Coghlan, of New York, NY, Fort Lauderdale FL, and Hendersonville, NC.
Mrs. Allen graduated from Florida State College for Women with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 1949. She was active in various organizations in her collegiate years, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and a competitor on the synchronized swimming team.
In the spring of 1949, Mrs. Allen met the love of her life, Rufus Couch Allen of Raleigh, while on vacation in Hendersonville, NC. They were joined in holy matrimony on September 10, 1949. This is quite notable as she left our world to be reunited with her husband on what would have been their 68th wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Allen was immersed in numerous activities within the Raleigh community. She served for years as a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter's troop. She was an enthusiastic and devoted member of the Women's Club of Raleigh, serving in various capacities, including heading the Gift Gallery. In that role, her search for interesting and unique artisan crafted items took her to many places across the state of North Carolina. She was a noted Docent at the North Carolina Governor's Mansion, and thoroughly enjoyed aiding tour groups interested in the distinctive history of the Old North State. She and her husband Rufus shared a passion for the psychology and finer points of parenting. They were knowledgably engaged with various courses and teachings in the field and became certified instructors in Parent Effectiveness Training (PET). Together they taught numerous PET courses to interested couples, including many friends and acquaintances.
Throughout her adult life, Mrs. Allen was actively engaged in several hobbies. She was an accomplished, avid bridge player, belonging to multiple bridge clubs, often playing 3 or 4 times a week. She enjoyed arts and crafts, particularly sewing, knitting, cross-stitch and needlepoint. All of her children admiringly display her cross-stitch and needlepoint creations in their homes. She was a member of the Bernina sewing club, often delighting her husband and children with the presentation of fine hand-made garments. She began what became an annual tradition in the Allen household - hand-crafting Christmas decorations for the home and ornaments for the tree, which grew to be something of a competition everyone in the family energetically participated in. She loved multiple genres of music, notably classical, Jazz, some pop, and of course, Frank Sinatra! She and Rufus were patrons of the North Carolina Symphony for many years and regularly delighted in the annual concert series. She was a voracious lifelong reader on myriad subjects, spanning history to politics to novels, and always enjoyed engaging in topical discussion and debate.
Of greatest import to Mrs. Allen was her husband of 57 years and her 3 children. She was a devoted and loving wife, a nurturing and wonderful mother who could always be counted on by her children--warm, kind, generous and caring. Instilling the appropriate values in her children through example was essential to her. For many years, in the early stage of her husband's career, his management consulting business took him away from home on frequent trips often lasting several weeks, thus she had an amplified role in raising her children and managing the household affairs. She served as secretary to her husband, and was an accomplished writer and typist. She became a gourmet cook and loved various fine cuisine accompanied by the appropriate wine. She enjoyed entertaining, and together with her husband
engendered a home that for many years was a busy and happy place, frequented by friends of virtually everyone in the family.
Mrs. Allen is survived by her sons, Michael Coghlan Allen of Richmond, VA, Lee Richardson Allen of Atlanta, GA; her daughter, Barbara Allen Cates of Raleigh; by eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Sunday at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Davidson Chapel.
The family will receive friends at the church following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road Raleigh, NC 27608.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Carol Allen

Sponsored by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory.

What is your first memory of Carol?

Share a favorite memory you have of Carol.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Carol.

Describe a time when Carol made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Carol?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Carol.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Carol.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Carol.

What is something you learned from Carol?

Not sure what to say?

3 Entries

September 17, 2017

Friend

Wendy Holden Fenwick

Mrs. Allen was the number 1 'Mom' I would have loved to have been adopted by, out of all the ones I met. She was calm, full of advice, kind, welcoming, a great cook, wise, insightful, sweet, caring, full of love, always there, supportive.....I could go on. So when this family say she was the best Mom in the world....she was!!! How happy her family were and grew with their parents principles, standards and examples of how to be great adults. She was simply outstanding. I am sad, yet so happy she was part of my life too, a long time ago. Sending deep sympathies to Mike, Barbara, Lee and all of the family, with love xx Wendy Holden Fenwick xx

September 16, 2017

Cheryl Braswell

My sincere condolences to the family, who feels much like my own family. I always felt so welcome and at home when visiting Carol & Rufus. Precious memories filled with joy, laughter and love that I will cherish always. My heart grieves for the loss of Carol on this Earth, but believe she is at peace with Rufus in heaven. May God's love bring comfort to all of you.

September 13, 2017

My sincere condolences to the family, May you find comfort from the words at Psalm 90:10

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results

Make a Donation
in Carol Allen's name

Memorial Events
for Carol Allen

Sep

16

Memorial service

1:00 p.m.

White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Davidson Chapel

1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC

Funeral services provided by:

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory

300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27605

How to support Carol's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Carol Allen's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more