Annette "Nan" Martin Allen
August 14, 1927 - November 27, 2019
Annette "Nan" Martin ALLEN, age 92, passed away at her home the morning of November 27, 2019 with the same peace that characterized her life. In her last months she was lovingly cared for by her niece Nancy Martin at home, where she enjoyed meaningful and joyful visits with multitudes of friends and family members who came to share some last loving moments with her. Nan was aware that cancer would be her gateway to the other side of life and was grateful for the attentions of hospice staff and for a relatively comfortable transition. She truly taught a 'master class' to everyone around her on how to make the most of the ending of life in a body!
Nan was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 14, 1927. She grew up with two brothers who predeceased her. She attended colleges in Ohio and Colorado, eventually earning an MSW from the University of Michigan.
Nan had two professional careers; 30 years as a social work clinician, supervisor, and teacher at residential treatment homes for children in Michigan and Ohio, Seattle Family Counseling Services, and the Snohomish County Mental Health Services out-patient program. The last 20 years of her work was in real estate, including managing several offices and teaching. Her social work career colored her real estate work with an attitude of teaching, deep listening, understanding, compassion, and the desire to be of service.
Her life was defined by her feelings of compassion for others and outrage at prejudice and injustice in all forms.
The mountains and beauty of the Pacific Northwest drew Nan to move to Seattle in 1964, where she met and married her husband Bill Allen. She loved SO many things in life: hiking, skiing, reading, playing the piano, opera, tennis, gardening, cooking, solitude, spending time with her many friends, and duplicate bridge - she was very proud of achieving Bronze Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. Exploring spirituality and human consciousness became a theme in her later years, enhanced by her community of friends at the Unity Church.
Nan is survived by six nephews and nieces and their families.
She has asked that her cremains be returned to the earth in a location of beauty.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
A Celebration of Life service will be held on:
Saturday, February 8 at 11:00 am
Unity in Lynnwood Church
16727 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood, WA 98037
Reception to follow.