Devoted Democrat, mother of U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, dies at 87

FALMOUTH – Genevieve Allen, the mother of U.S. Rep. Tom Allen of Maine, died Saturday at her home. She was 87.

Allen served on the state board of directors of the League of Women Voters and the YWCA. Her husband, Charles Allen, is a former mayor of Portland.

A devoted Democrat, she was born in Newton, Mass. She received a bachelor’s degree from Radcliffe College in 1934 and a master’s degree in music from Southern Methodist University. She worked as the music librarian at Sarah Lawrence College for five years and volunteered with the American Red Cross.

“She was always excited about helping other people,” said her son, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat who represents Maine’s 1st Congressional District. “I have seen her just get all excited when she was about to take a present to a friend. It would be a little jar of jam or something … and she’d just be shaking with excitement.”

In addition to her husband and son, survivors include a son, William Allen of Hallowell; a daughter of Norcross, Ga., two brothers and three grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Jones, Rich and Hutchin Funeral Home in Portland. Burial will be private.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church in Portland.