Obituary of Louise Ryan Allen

Louise Ryan Allen 99, passed from this earth March 10, 2016 in Tucson. She was born in Bisbee, AZ on December 25, 1916 to Emma Christina (Gaetjens) and John Joseph Ryan. Louise was gifted in music and won her first of many singing contests at age four. She graduated from Bisbee High School in 1934 and pursued her passion for the arts, entering a state wide contest for a scholarship in voice. Following her winning performance, Louise met and was congratulated by another young voice student, Ross Marvin Allen, her future husband. She phoned her mother in Bisbee that night to tell her she won the competition and met the man that she would marry. She studied music at The University of Arizona. Her love of singing opera and her gifted abilities prompted Madeline Berger, founder of the Tucson Temple of Music and Art, to offer financial backing in pursuit of a career in music. Her love for Ross won out over her opportunities in music, as she left to marry the new first lieutenant on March 7, 1941 in Abilene, Texas. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ross left for Panama on December 24, 1941 and later served in the South Pacific with the 158th Infantry (Bushmasters). She continued to study music while working as an assistant to the head of Southern Pacific in Tucson. Upon Ross' return from the South Pacific, she worked tirelessly to raise a family and assist Ross in attaining his PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Arizona. The family relocated to Costa Rica for three years before moving to Yuma in 1957. During her stay in Yuma she taught voice and piano and became a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Louise and Ross shared a duet of love and of music. The family returned to Tucson in 1967. She was a prolific painter and a gifted poet. Louise's passion for the arts continued throughout her life and was only exceeded by her faith and love of family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ross, her parents; brothers, John (Mick) Ryan and Robert Ryan and son, Stephen Allen. She is survived by sister, Patricia Ryan; sons, David Allen and Douglas Allen (Holly), daughter-in-law, Susan Allen and grandchildren, Stephanie Snyder (John), Jeanine Williams (Seth), Michael Allen (Kirsten), Kathleen Allen, Matthew Allen, Dawn Porter (Colin), Laurie Koch (Matt), Ryan Allen and 11 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Thursday, March 17, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N Northern Ave., Tucson, AZ. Memorial Services will be held Friday, March 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.