Frances Mary Allen

Frances Mary Allen, 89, died December 1, 2015 at Bridgehaven Care Cottage, Lawrence, after a decade long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Known as "Frankie" to her family and friends, she was born Frances Mary Meggison on April 7, 1926 to Clarence and Dorothy (McMillin) Meggison in Topeka.

Survivors include two daughters, Donna Allen and Denise Everhart, Topeka; a son, Randall Allen, Lawrence; two sisters, Annabelle Griffin and Lila Hazlett, Topeka; a brother, Robert Meggison, Overbrook; three grandchildren, Robert Everhart, Lawrence; Donna "Dee Dee" Williams and Kory Everhart, Topeka; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Frankie married WWII veteran George William Allen, of Axtell, on September 11, 1947 in Topeka. He died January 22, 1979. Mrs. Allen also suffered the loss of one sister, Bettie Emery, Lecompton, who died November 6, 2014.

Mrs. Allen attended Highland Park Schools, but was graduated from Van Nuys (California) High School in 1944 as she worked at Bendix Aviation helping to build America's arsenal of democracy. Frankie returned to Topeka following the war and worked for Morrell's Meat Packing, where she met her husband George. Frankie also worked at Ohse Meats, Sears, Crosby's, The Sewing Nook and eventually Bobo's Drive-in for many years.

Mrs. Allen loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. She loved to cook and made award-winning fudge. Frankie loved card games, bingo and most of all—spending time with her family and friends. Counted among them would be the residents of the First Apartments in Topeka, where she lived for many years.

Mrs. Allen was wonderful with children and had a knack for teaching them to read. She was trained as a Montessori teacher and was one of the first in Kansas. Later she worked as a nanny and sitter, sharing with several fortunate children in the Topeka area her patience and the unconditional love that made learning much easier. Frankie was also a great athlete, with a powerful and accurate throwing arm. She played 2nd base along side of her daughter, Donna for the Topeka Teamsterettes, a semi-pro softball team, competing in her forties against twenty year-olds.

Graveside services and internment will be held for family and close friends at 11:00 Saturday, December 12, at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held for all at 7:00pm Monday, December 14, at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins, Topeka. Longtime family friend Rev. Tobias Schlingensiepen will preside.