Obituary: Allen, Helen T.
Age 90
Helen was born January 7, 1924 in Scranton, PA., to Robert Guy and Bridget Rutledge.
The family expanded to include sisters, Mary and Elizabeth and brother Paul.
Helen attended St Anne’s elementary and high school, graduating in 1942.
Shortly after her graduation, her Dad moved the family to Philadelphia to work in the Naval Shipyard during World War II.
Helen began working as a switch board operator for Bell Telephone and enjoyed life in the big city and trips to “the shore” at Atlantic City.
In April 1951 a young engineer from Spokane, Washington’s prayer to St Francis for “a good wife” were answered on his first weekend in Philadelphia when he met Helen at a dance.
Ray and Helen married November 24, 1951 in Philadelphia, moved to Ft Wayne, Indiana before a final move to Spokane in 1952.
Helen and Ray enjoyed a very loving marriage of 62 years and delighted in their family trips to Ocean Shores, time at their place on Coeur d’Alene Lake and many trips within the United States and abroad.
They were lifelong members of St. Aloysius Parish where Helen served as an Eucharistic Minister and belonged to the Altar Society.
Helen and Ray loved square dancing and were members of the Buttons & Bows Square Dance Club for more than 20 years.
After the kids grew up, Helen began a 25 year career with Weight Watchers.
Mom seldom missed a Notre Dame football or Gonzaga University basketball game.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary and son Rick; and survived by her husband Ray; daughters: Kathleen (Tom), Terie (Mike), Pattie (Matt) and Nancy (Fernando); and sons: Mike (Connie) and Brian (Heather); sister, Elizabeth Mantegna; brother, Paul Rutledge (Pat); nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A Rosary will held Thursday evening, August 7th 7pm at Hennessey Funeral Home, 2203 N Division.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Friday, August 8th at 10am at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Gonzaga University Campus.
Committal to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Aloysius Altar Society, 330 E Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99202.
Please visit Helen’s online memorial page at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.