All who knew her, or of her good deeds, and want to say goodbye to BETTY ALLEN
are invited To : St. Francis de Sales Church On : Friday 10/5.
There will be a visitation from 11-Noon and a Memorial Mass from Noon
to 1 PM. I was asked to share this invitation, and am honored to do so.Please
forgive cross postings. My goal is to include all who might have known her in
the information about her passing.Please forward it to folks who might want to
attend and may not be on our lists.Feel free to reply to me with your memories
of Betty and I will forward them to her friends.below are some of mine. It is
rare to know someone who was so consistently and constantly good,
compassionate, active and contemplative. Betty lived to an old age on 46th
Street. While her geographic life seemed to be circumscribed by a sliver of
Philadelphia that went from Clark Park to her Church ot 4625 Springfield and to
the SECOND MILE CENTER on 45th near Locust, her spiritual life was connected to
the refugees of every major war or famine over the past 40 years. She also
volunteered services to the mentally ill, people recovering from addiction and
to folks who needed job training after prison. She helped open a school to
teach English, as a second, (or third or fourth), language to her beloved
refugees. She made sure the curriculum included classes to help parents better
help their school age children with homework. Her "projects" have become
successful, tax paying citizens. Their children are becoming Doctors, Nurses,
School Teachers and Athletes and are winning scholarships and other awards.
Betty, invited people in to volunteer whatever time or money they could give.
She helped everyone recognize the value of their contributions. In one example,
a recent immigrant, with no money, was able to invest the time to find safe and
affordable housing for the son of a much more wealthy foreign family. The
father, an Italian Doctor, had helped him, in Africa, while volunteering with
"Doctors without Borders". Years later, when the Doctor's son wanted to study
in Philadelphia, he had a guardian angel here in West Philly, who did all the
upfront front leg work to find a safe place and who included him in many lively
and tasty meals held at Betty's home. I know Betty as a vector for things I
considered miraculous.In one instance, she called me to tell me she needed to
locate a handicap access van for the family of a young woman made paraplegic by
a stroke. I considered it an odd phone call, but assumed Betty was looking for
some contributions toward a purchase. I could hear that she believed a van
would provide more than mobility, but also hope and opportunity for a teen and
family, whose lives had changed in an instant and who were drifting towards
despair. But... my next incoming call was from an acquaintance who needed a
Real Estate referral, subsequent to the death of her father. This caller was
still in the anger stage of grief. The focus of her call became a complaint
about having to sell back a just purchased van, with handicap modifications, at
a huge discount. (3 months earlier they'd bought the van + mods, for her dad.
He had put almost no miles on it, but the best compensation the dealer would
offer was a "used car" price less the cost to remove the mods - resulting in a
50% loss.) My first thought was of Betty and her need, but my friend said that
there was still a lot of money in play, and that modifications are so specific
to disabilities, that it was not likely it would be useful, Because Betty was
involved, I was confident that the aged man would turn out to be the same
height and arm length of the teenage girl, and I was right. The church
accepted the donation and forwarded the van to the family. The IRS valued the
van at its purchase price, Compensation from tax savings and the ability to
'flip off' the dealer helped speed my friend's recovery from the loss of her
beloved father, and helped each family to accept and thrive within their new
normal. I am not sure why I was allowed a part in this miracle, but it was
further evidence, for me, that Betty was a <capitol S> Saint here on earth. I
can not think of Betty Allen without realizing that everyone, who wants to
define themselves as Christian, has a duty to perform Corporal Works of Mercy.
These are defined as: Feed the Hungry; Give Drink to the Thirsty; Clothe the
Naked; Shelter the Homeless; Visit the Sick; Visit the Imprisoned; Bury the
Dead. I know Betty was tired and ready to "go". I'll miss her, perhaps less
so, because I can applaud those who honor her good works by playing forward the
things which enrich our neighborhoods. Even I though I never knew Betty as an
Athlete or outdoors-person, I see her beauty and compassion and far-sightedness
in the folks who volunteer to coach children's soccer and in the tree-tenders
who are growing our urban forest. I see her in the young couple who dines at
one of our Ethiopian restaurants and in the people who shop locally and share
their harvests. Mostly I'll think of Betty Allen every time I find a bargain
at the SECOND MILE CENTER or when I see our latest group of immigrants lined up
at the Literacy Center on Farragut Street. I feel blessed to have so many great
neighbors. Some of whom do great good while hiding their light under
'anonymous" and others who are more obvious, because of their choices, or
because they see it as an invitation to join in the joy of helping others. I
was lucky to have known Betty, and much of my grief is for those who have not,
and now will not, have that opportunity. I trust Betty is resting in peace and
understanding and that there will be the ongoing blessings of people inspired
by her lovely examples.
Elizabeth Campion
PRUDENTIAL, FOX & ROACH REALTORS, LLC
210 W. Rittenhouse Square, Suite 406
Phila, PA 19103 and 850 Library
Road, Suite 106
Newark, DE 19711
215-790-5653 Philly Office
302-368-1621 NCC, DE Office
215-880-2930 Cell
[email protected] or
[email protected] for Rental questions
Link to Photos of available Listings and public, 'social' photos:
www.PicasaWeb.google.com/CampionEF To check out all PFR and Multiple Listed
Properties and
to review CONSUMER NOTICE, link to
www.PruFoxRoach.com
Your referral is a welcome compliment.
Thank you, I wish you all the best now and into the future!
