FUNERAL HOME

Evergreen Staples Funeral Home

3414 NE 52nd Street, Suite 101

Vancouver, Washington

Carolee Allen Obituary


CAROLEE ALLEN
November 27, 1941 ~ November 2, 2017

Carolee was born on 27 November 1941 in Los Angeles CA to Calvin and Frances Baker. She and her mother came home from the hospital on Dec 7th unaware of the bombing on Pearl Harbor.
Carolee attended all 13 grades in the La Canada, CA School system. While in elementary school, she was active in the Girl Scouts and Mariners.
She attended John Muir High School and was active in Zonta an international organization to advance the status of women.
She attended Redlands University from 1959 - 1963 earning a BS degree in teaching History.
In spring of 1963, she traveled to Europe with the University of Redlands Salzburg Program. This trip ignited a desire to know more about Europe, its history and culture especially Germany. She returned to California and started her teaching career in the fall of 63.
In July of 1965, she enrolled at the University of Innsbruck to study Germany language. She babysat to earn money to live on. Over the Christmas Holidays she attend a week ski outing. Skiing then became a part of her life.
During the summer of 66, she was hired as a camp counselor by S.O.S. Save The Children boy's camp high in the Austrian Alps. There she met Uta a German woman counselor who became a life long friend she frequently visited.
School year 66-67 she taught English at the Rudolf Steiner Schule in Nurnberg, Germany. She lived with a German family for the year and has visited them frequently.
For the 67-68 school year, she taught at Azusa, CA High School. After one year, she returned to Germany and taught Social Studies in Karlsruhe, for the US Army.
In December of 1969, she met Del Allen while skiing in St, Anton, Austria. They became engaged in Monte Bondone, Italy at Easter of 1970 and were married in La Canada, CA on the 17th of July 1970.
The couple returned to Germany to teach, then moved to Forest Grove, OR were Del attended Optometry school. Carolee was a sub for the Forest Grove School District and in 1972 was hired as a full time teacher.
In 1979, the family moved to Vancouver, WA. She helped design their passive solar house, the third built in Clark County. In May 1980 they moved into their new home with a Mt. St. Helens view that changed 2 weeks later.
When the family moved to Vancouver, Carolee continued her teaching career in the Evergreen School District as a substitute and in 1980 began full time. In 1988, she became a junior high school librarian and continued in that role until her retirement in 2004.
In 1980 while traveling in the midwest, she visited the Unitarian Universalist Church in Madison, WI designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Upon returning home, the family became active in the Vancouver UU Fellowship (now the UU Church of Vancouver). She became the Religious Education Director for many years and has remained a member since that time.
Over the years, she has visited friends in Europe many times and traveled in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scandinavia, Alaska, and the US
She has hosted people from: Germany, Russia, Australia, France, Japan and Argentina.
In July, she visited Joseph, Oregon to celebrate her 47th wedding anniversary.
She was a frequent visitor to the Ashland Theater for Shakespeare and a season's ticket holder for the Portland Symphony.
She passed away on November 2, 2017 at 7 a.m. from cancer complications with her husband and sister-in-law at her side.
She always had a positive outlook on life and tried to live life to its fullest. She was a great wife, mother, cook, editor, travel partner, cultural instructor, skier, hiker, teacher, friend, symphony partner and intellectual. She is greatly missed by all who knew her.
Carolee was preceded in death by her parents Cal and Frances Baker; and sister Cheryl in September 2014.
Carolee is survived by husband Del, children Duane and Lara, their spouses, and four grandchildren. Also, sisters Gayle and Laura, their spouses, brother Brian, his spouse and brother-in-law Charlie Morgan.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, Washington; 4505 E. 18th Street; Vancouver, WA 98661. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Southern Poverty Law Center: PO Box 548: Montgomery, AL 36177-9621
Please sign her guestbook at www.columbian.com/obits

Published by The Columbian on Nov. 26, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Carolee Allen

Not sure what to say?





6 Entries

It's been 4 years and the half dozen is still missing you....

Barbara Church

November 20, 2021

Sorry for your loss. Our kids went to school to school with Carolee's kids. Our son Chad was in her Cub Scout den with her son Duane. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Gods blessings be with you in this difficult time.
Earl and Diana Bliss

Earl and Diana Bliss

November 29, 2017

Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May your precious memories of your time together help with the pain. May God comfort your hearts and give you peace. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

EG

November 27, 2017

Carolee was a wise woman with a lovely smile and an engaging laugh. She was patient with kids and adults alike.

Jean Kent

November 26, 2017

I'm very sorry for Carolee's passing. We never did get to chat in German, but I always enjoyed visiting with her.

Jeff Strang

November 26, 2017

Barbara Church

November 26, 2017

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

Make a Donation
in Carolee Allen's name

Memorial Events
for Carolee Allen

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Evergreen Staples Funeral Home

3414 NE 52nd Street, Suite 101, Vancouver, WA 98661

How to support Carolee's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Carolee Allen's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more