Obituary of Violeta Liucija Allen

Our Beautiful Mother Violeta Allen passed away peacefully at home 9/24/2022 with family present.

She was born in Vilnius Lithuania to Jurgis Smilgevicius and Valentina VanDyck. They were separated during WW2 and so began her life as a child refugee with her mother Valentina, grandmother Marija and sister Lily. Her father was sent to Australia and her mother, grandmother, sister and herself to America.

She told us of the American soldiers who came to help the refugees and of the special treats the soldiers would provide. They would parade through and throw candy out for the children to gather. They lived in a 1 room housing unit and they waited for what was next. That's when Tillie Servilla noticed the 4 of them and quickly made herself their Lithuanian sponsor for America. Not speaking the language they then set sail for Ellis Island when Vi was six and Lily three. Trying coca cola for the first time and not liking it, she never did really like soda pop, just a taste once every blue moon. 

Valentina and Marija were placed with sponsors to give them work and a place to stay. Marija went to Gobles and Valentina, Vi and Lily went to Walter VanDycks home in Comstock so Valentina could be his house maid. Later Walter married Valentina and then adopted Vi and Lily. Shortly after that came baby brother Wally that really started her love for babies. He was her living baby doll.

 She graduated from Comstock High School, baby sat for many families in her neighborhood and in high school volunteered as a candy striper for Borgess hospital where she would eventfully meet the mother of the man of her dreams, Ottie Allen.

She married Wayman Allen before graduating and before he set sail with the Navy. They started a little family living on love and they had 3 children. Gary, Natalie and Andrea.

Mom made our home a welcoming home. There was always family and friends that would stop and sit a while for a friendly visit. Mom was the best hostess and always prepared.

Mom worked for a bit at Comstock West Elementary as a lunch playground safety and then got a job working at the Half Way House truck stop as a waitress. She later got another better job as food service hostess at Bronson hospital. She then became Bronson food service supervisor for decades. When Bronson changed management, she changed careers and ventured to Yarrow Event Center where she started as a guest services guide. That didn't last long as the owners little one fell in love with our mom and she was then hired as his nanny. From there word got out about our mom, she was in high demand by many families trying to get her on their calendars to come sit and entertain their children. So thus began her dream of being with the little people again.

Mom visited Australia to reconnect after some 30 years with her birth father and his family. Later he came to the states to visit and meet us.

Mom and dad traveled a lot going to Allen family reunions down south and in Flint Michigan. She also took trips with her sister Lily and husband Jim and traveled with the families she babysat for. A priority was getting away from Michigan's cold winters and snow birding it to Florida with Lily and Jim and friends for fun in the sun going thrift store shopping!

Mom mastered sewing clothes for herself and for all of us. She knitted beautiful sweaters for her grand kids, sewed cabbage patch doll clothes, goose clothes and a few special quilts.

Mom loved dad with all her heart and soul, he truly was the love of her life. She felt the same way about her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as extended family and friends. Lily was her best friend. She loved and spoiled her friend and pet Barney the bunny. She loved ice cream, chocolate, dolls, blue light shopping at Kmart, garage sales, thrift shopping and a good cup of hot black coffee with a good book. And of course her fun filled bus trips to the casinos or with whoever wanted to go for a road trip with her to a casino.

Mom accomplished much in her 79 years. She made many friends, we know this as we go through her notes,pictures and cards that she saved for decades. No one was ever forgotten. It just shows how solid of a woman our mother truly was.  We would like to thank you for loving our mother. She is greatly loved and deeply missed. She is with dad now and we will wait for the day when we'll all be together again. 

Violeta Allen 2/12/1943 - 9/24/2022

Proceeded in death husband Wayman Allen, son Gary Allen.

She is survived by sister Lily (Jim) Cornell, brother Walter (Sandie) VanDyck, daughter Natalie (Brian) Sziede, daughter Andrea (Mike) Walsh. granddaughter Jennifer (Paul) Fish, grandson Kurt (Amber) Smith, granddaughter Hilary (Matthew Snyder) Sziede, grandson Patrick (Alyssa) Walsh, granddaughter Kimberly Walsh, and 5 great grandchildren

A grave side service and Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date in the spring 2023. As per mom's request cremation was performed.

Also a special Thank you to all the good people who helped service mom in her time of need. Rides to doctors visits, keeping her on track taking her medicines, helping her keep a clean home, lawn care, a friend to sit with for a spell and food in her fridge. All of you who helped mom fulfill the last chapter of her marvelous life's story all the way through the last page to The End. She filled her life no matter the circumstances to the fullest. You're a hard act to follow mom.

We LOVE you MOM forever and a day. Life won't be the same without you. Watch over all of us like you do.

Love to you all, Love Andrea and Natalie

In lieu of flowers you can make a donation to any charity of your choice in Violeta's name.