Rosemary Allen

Rosemary E. (Denniston) Allen, 85, of Pecatonica, IL died at 4:20 a.m., Thursday, April 2, 2020 at Presence Saint Anne Center.

Born September 11, 1934 in Newburgh, NY, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irving and Rose (Brune) Denniston. Moved to Rockford, IL on January 23, 1946. Graduated from West High School, Class of 1952 and from St. Anthony School (now College) of Nursing in 1955.

Married Martin Lyle Allen on November 19, 1955 in Rockford, IL. Moved to Pecatonica on October 1, 1959. Member of St. Mary’s Parish of Pecatonica, active member of St. Mary’s Guild and served many years as Parish Sacristan before retiring in 1996. Received D.C.C.W. Catholic Woman of the Year award in 1994. Past President of St. Anthony Nurses’ Alumni, only class reporter for the Alumni annual newsletter which began in 1966. During her daughters’ school years, Rosemary was active in Pecatonica PTO, former member of the University of Illinois Mother’s Association, University of Iowa Parents Group, and Northern Illinois University Parents Group. Enjoyed assisting Lyle with all his K of C activities, including memberships in the Illinois State K of C Campers and International (KCIC) Organizations. Instrumental in starting the People in Prayer group in Pecatonica and represented St. Mary’s with the Prayer chain.

Rosemary took great pleasure in her large correspondence sending letters across the USA and Canada to loving family and friends. She and Lyle spent 15 years wintering in South Texas. Rosemary loved her family with all her heart, saying often our most precious gifts from God are our children and grandchildren.

Survivors include daughters Monica (Steven) Sandahl of Moline, IL, Frances Yankus of Rockford, IL, Mary (Peter) Allen Verdun of Byron, IL, Peg (Dan) Neir of Roscoe, IL; grandchildren Kristin (Kevin) Rauch, Sarah (Dr. Kevin Allibone) Sandahl, Andrew Sandahl, Ryan (Sara) Neir, Rachel Neir, Ross Neir, Dr. Valerie Verdun and Mary Elizabeth Verdun DNP.; two great grandchildren Blair Rauch and Rylee Rauch; one great granddaughter Neir arriving in June 2020 and many nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by husband Martin Lyle Allen on July 9, 2017, daughter Valerie Allen Morrissey on November 23, 1983, son-in-law Randall Yankus on December 31, 1993 and brother Robert Denniston.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the family for a future donation to St. Anthony College of Nursing.

A celebration of life memorial mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pecatonica, IL at a later date. McCorkle Funeral Home- Pecatonica Chapel assisted the family.