Chandra Cecilia Allen, 80, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2016 peacefully in her sleep with her husband of 58 years, Jack B. Allen by her side. She was at the home of her daughter Kelly Allen and son-in-law John Tower of Rochester Hills, Michigan surrounded by her children and close family.
She was born October 9, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Elayne and Wellington Dent “Duke” Camp. Chandra graduated from an all-girls Catholic high school, Immaculata High School in 1953 and continued her education and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the private Roman Catholic women’s college, Mundelein College (now an affiliate college of Loyola University Chicago) in 1960.
Chandra Cecilia Allen
As the only child of Elayne and Duke Camp, Chandra lived an exciting and high profile life during her youth as a result of her father’s illustrious career in the Chicago elite nightclub scene in the early 40’s and 50’s. Chandra knew and was friendly with such well-known entertainers as Bob Hope, Tony Bennett and Danny Thomas as well as Sammy Davis Jr., Jimmy Durante, Sophie Tucker and Dean Martin to name a few. The impact of such a lively upbringing developed Chandra’s panache for good fun and conversation which was a constant throughout her life. Her love and joy of her family and friends were her top priority and main devotion.
Chandra was married to Jack B. Allen on February 15, 1958. She and Jack wanted a large family and were blessed with 10 children. Known as the matriarch of the family, she was passionate about raising her children in the catholic community and schools. As they moved several times across the country from Chicago, Illinois to New Rochelle, New York, to Birmingham, Michigan to Westport, Connecticut she made sure that each child received a catholic education as well as college degrees. Her children’s successes, were her successes. All those who knew her admired her ease and ability of managing a family of this magnitude. She had the remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome and special at the Allen household no matter where she lived. She treated her neighbors and friends and even strangers like family. Chandra never missed a birthday, baptism, communion, confirmation and even managed to attend the many sporting events and performances by her children and grandchildren.
She loved dancing and had a passion for writing. She was also a masterful cook and enjoyed having large dinner parties, every single night. She was a life-time member of the Oakland Hills Country Club and supported the catholic church communities of St. Joseph Church in Wilmette, Illinois, St. Hugo’s of The Hills, and St. Regis of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and St. Luke’s in Westport, Connecticut.
Mrs. Allen is survived by her 10 children, Kelly (John Tower) Allen, Joseph (Nancy) Allen, James Allen, Michael (Patricia) Allen, Thomas (Kimberly) Allen, Peter (Nancy) Allen, Daniel (Amy) Allen, Timothy Allen, David (Nancy) Allen, Elaine (Jesse) Daignault also 23 grandchildren: Nicholas Tower, Christopher Tower, Jessica Allen, Kristin Allen, Kevin Allen, Patrick Allen, Jameson Allen, Tyler Fisher, Aleyshia Greenfield, Mackenzie Allen, Jack Allen, Ian Allen Michael Allen, Caroline Allen. Julia Allen, Bryan (Jessica) Allen, Bradley Allen, Riley Allen, Duke Allen, Isabella Allen, Sarah Allen, Zachary Allen, Jackson Daignault, Mia Daignault and one great grandchild Nolan Allen.
Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks Road (between 14-15 Mile Rds.) Thursday, April 7th, 3-8pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Hugo of the Hills, 2215 Opdyke Rd. Bloomfield Hills, Friday, April 8th at 10am. Friends may visit at church beginning at 9:30am. Father Joseph Grimaldi will be officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Speaks, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540 or the Michigan Lupus Foundation , 29433 Southfield Road #210, Southfield, MI 48076.
Obituary Courtesy of Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors of Clawson, Michigan
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