Obituary of J. Katharina Allen
ALLEN, J. Katharina – Perth, Ontario, on August 31, 2024, at the age of 82. Johanna Katharina Allen (née Bollinger), wife of the late L. Wayne Allen. Dear mother of Mark (Jeff Peet) of Ottawa and Kristiann (Jon Tunnicliffe) of Auckland, New Zealand. Cherished “Omi” of Max and Sabina. Daughter of the late Hans and Gertrud Bollinger (née Graber) and sister of Regina (late Klaus) of Toronto; Ulrich (Christiane), Urs (late Sheila), Christian, and Luzia Christine of North Gower; and predeceased by sister Lisa. Survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family in Canada and Europe. Katharina was born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, in 1942. She came to Canada with her family in 1952, and maintained a proud, lifelong connection with the Swiss community. Her calling was as a teacher, and she spent many years inspiring young minds in primary classrooms in the Sudbury region, teaching in both English and French. Her gift for helping children learn continued past her retirement in Perth, where it combined with her commitment to community engagement and her keen love of gardening, blossoming in the school-based “Junior Gardeners” program, among many other pursuits as an avid volunteer. A generous and committed friend and neighbour, Katharina confronted her cancer diagnosis with characteristic optimism and determination. Mark and Kristiann wish to thank her inspiring circle of friends and neighbours for all of their help and support, as well as the nurses of Bayshore HealthCare and the palliative team at Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, who were exceptional.
A celebration of Katharina's life will be held at Oakfield Rugby Park 2585 Drummond Concession 2 Perth, Ontario, K7H 3C8 on Sunday, November 17, 2024 From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please RSVP to kallenmemorial@gmail.com. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Perth and District Community Foundation for the Canadian Federation of University Women, or to one of the other local charitable organizations with which she was involved, are appreciated. Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Home, Perth.
