9/19/1921 – 10/21/2026
Lawrence
Catherine Kingsley Allen was born September 19, 1921, in Brooklyn, New York,to Florence Kingsley and Joseph Stacy Phelon Jr. Catherine graduated from St. Mary’s Hall, and Episcopal boarding school for young women, in 1939. With her parents, and younger brother J. Stacy III, they lived in New York City, and spent summers in Lakewood, New Jersey, enjoying the beach, bonfires, fresh lobster, and the family friends. Catherine married the love of her life (but not love at first sight!), Winfred Gordon Allen, on May 8, 1942, on the eve of his service in World War II. Catherine herself served as Air Raid Warden. She and Win were married for 57 years until his death in 1999.
A son, Winfred Jr. (Wynn), was born in 1944. Catherine took Young Wynn by train from New York to Utah when he was just 10 days old to reunite with her husband at his base. Daughter, Catherine Kingsley (Cathie) was born in 1949.
Catherine (Kay) was an intrepid traveler and created personalized itineraries for clients heading to Europe by plane or cruise liner. She loved the QEII, dogsledding in Alaska, and the coast of the former Yugoslavia. Kay worked as a travel agent in Summit, New Jersey, Hilton head Island, South Carolina, and finally in 1980 to Kansas, each move precipitated by the relocation of her grandchildren. Kay’s expertise led to writing for magazines, a weekly newspaper, teach teaching at Johnson County community college, and hosting a Tv travel show called “Ask Kay”. At the age of 95, she published her first novel, IF…, The story of two people who met aboard the maiden voyage of a cruise ship hopefully to reunite on the 50th anniversary sailing.
A huge fan of genealogy, Kay was a member of the Mayflower Society, descendants of pilgrims and a US Supreme Court Justice. She particularly love teaching children’s Sunday School and cheering on her family, earnestly overflowing with praise at all their endeavors. Kay love to talk by phone- except when the Jayhawks were playing-But she could always be interrupted by any of her six grandchildren, 10 great grands, and three great greats. Kay was blessed to have been able to live on her own until just after her 104th birthday. If you knew and love our Nan, Hug someone you love, play a round of cribbage, enjoy a glass of Moscato with cheese and crackers, or perhaps a cup of tea (As long as it includes four or 5 teaspoons of sugar!). If you wanna know her heart, read the giving tree by Shel Silverstein.
Kay’s Legacy is the family she loved. Kate is survived by Daughter Cathie & Frank Rodkey, Son Wynn & Diane Allen, Son-in-law John Karpinski, brother Stacy Phelon. Grandchildren, Kate & Matt Wood, John & Jenny Karpinski, Ben & Sarah Karpinski, Win & Timari Allen,Geoff & Chelsea Allen, and Amanda & Scott Lero. Great grandchildren Lexi, Lily, Luke,Caitlyn, Anthony, Jack, Simon, Griffin, Zach, Abby, three great great grandchildren, and grandson in law Jason Riddle. The family would like to extend special thanks to the amazing staff Vintage Park/Homestead of Baldwin City And Ascend Hospice care for the kindness and spirit and support for Kay and her family over* last year.
Family and friends were received at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Shawnee on Friday, October 30 with internment and Resurrection Cemetery Lenexa. Memorial contributions in case honor may be given to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 5325 Rd. Shawnee KS, 66203 or her alma mater Doane Academy ( St. Mary’s Hall) Development office, 350 Riverbank, Burlington, NJ 08016.
The following Facebook post by one of Kay’s grandsons speaks volumes to the person Kay was to all the generations of her family and friends.
Today we say goodbye to my grandmother at 105 years old. Instead of condolences, maybe congratulations are an otter. How lucky was I to have a grandmother for that long? She lived the kind of life that’s hard to replicate: Kind to everyone, a great listener, and endlessly supportive of the people she loved. We will miss her, but today is less about loss and more about gratitude. What an incredible life what an absolute legend.
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