Karen Kay Allen
May 20, 1943 ~ September 5, 2015
Karen Kay Allen
On May 20th, 1943 in Council Bluffs, Iowa Karen Kay was born to Raymond Frederick Heesch, a shoe store owner, and Pauline Susan Finken, a baker and store clerk. Karen was the second of four Heesch children and was born into a very large, loving Catholic family. Her early years growing up in Avoca, Iowa were happy, close-knit ones and this strong foundation helped form her good-natured, family-focused character.
Karen had a wry, easy-going sense of humor, an engaging smile, learned sports easily, and loved to sing and dance. She played basketball for the Avoca Blue Birds in high school and later in life learned and played soccer with the Northern Virginia Hellcats. She was an avid walker and yoga enthusiast. She transferred her love of healthy living and sports to her children, nurturing her son Chris in baseball, basketball, and track, and her daughters Martha and Teresa in swimming.
After high school Karen attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned an Associate's degree and began work as a legal secretary. It was while riding the city bus home one day that she met her husband Richard (Rich) Allen. The pair married in Des Moines on January 4, 1964.
Karen and Rich lived with their growing family first in Des Moines, then Arlington, Virginia, and Springfield, Illinois. They settled in Springfield, Virginia in 1976 and Karen became a neighborhood fixture in the West Springfield Village community. She volunteered in her children's schools on the PTA, as secretary, and as room parent at Beverly Hills Co-Op preschool, Spring Mar preschool, West Springfield Elementary, Washington Irving Middle, West Springfield High School, and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). For ten years Karen served as the Northern Virginia Swimming League (NVSL) team representative of Village West swimming club and as the NVSL Publicity chair; she was the swimming and diving team volunteer coordinator for TJHSST (1987-1991). Her children's friends considered Karen to be a good advice-giver and, at times, a shoulder to cry on.
Karen returned to work in 1987 as the Guidance Secretary at TJHSST. In 1992 she became a Guidance Secretary for Robinson Secondary School, where she worked until 1997. What Karen enjoyed most about working in the Fairfax County Public School system was working with the students, helping guide and nurture young people to good and better decisions in high school and beyond.
The Allen family has been members of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, Virginia since 1977. Karen was an active parishioner as well as a former Sunday School teacher and member of the Flower Guild.
Karen loved to travel, particularly to and with family. The family made trips back to Iowa, and took an annual trip to The Outer Banks, North Carolina where they often hosted friends and extended family.
Karen and her husband traveled throughout the USA and Germany, and to Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, England, and Australia, frequently traveling with their adult children, too. Karen spent two months in Australia helping her daughter Teresa after her granddaughter Genevieve was born.
Karen is survived by her husband Rich; her children, daughter Martha Allen Godin and son-in-law Tom Godin, her son Christopher and daughter-in-law Sherean Malekzadeh Allen, and her daughter Teresa Diane Allen; her grandchildren Matthew and David Godin, Genevieve Paulina Allen Schmidt, and Hunter Allen; her siblings Dianne Fell, Roger Heesch, and Jean Mogle; her aunt Terry Brazie; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The Allen family would like to thank the Virginian Retirement Community, particularly the third floor Assisted living nursing staff, the Willow nursing staff, and the physical therapy unit; Sabine Shreves Elbe; The Fair Oaks Parkinson Support Group; the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area; Dr. Madeline Erario; Dr. Randolph Stephenson; Dr. Catherine Crone; and Dr. Collette Magnant.
Karen is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, and friend.
She is an athlete.
She is a volunteer, a leader, a teacher.
She is beloved.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
On May 20th, 1943 in Council Bluffs, Iowa Karen Kay was born to Raymond Frederick Heesch, a shoe store owner, and Pauline Susan Finken, a baker and store clerk. Karen was the second of four Heesch children and was born into a very large, loving Catholic family. Her early years growing up in Avoca, Iowa were happy, close-knit ones and this strong foundation helped form her good-natured, family-focused character.
Karen had a wry, easy-going sense of humor, an engaging smile, learned sports easily, and loved to sing and dance. She played basketball for the Avoca Blue Birds in high school and later in life learned and played soccer with the Northern Virginia Hellcats. She was an avid walker and yoga enthusiast. She transferred her love of healthy living and sports to her children, nurturing her son Chris in baseball, basketball, and track, and her daughters Martha and Teresa in swimming.
After high school Karen attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned an Associate's degree and began work as a legal secretary. It was while riding the city bus home one day that she met her husband Richard (Rich) Allen. The pair married in Des Moines on January 4, 1964.
Karen and Rich lived with their growing family first in Des Moines, then Arlington, Virginia, and Springfield, Illinois. They settled in Springfield, Virginia in 1976 and Karen became a neighborhood fixture in the West Springfield Village community. She volunteered in her children's schools on the PTA, as secretary, and as room parent at Beverly Hills Co-Op preschool, Spring Mar preschool, West Springfield Elementary, Washington Irving Middle, West Springfield High School, and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). For ten years Karen served as the Northern Virginia Swimming League (NVSL) team representative of Village West swimming club and as the NVSL Publicity chair; she was the swimming and diving team volunteer coordinator for TJHSST (1987-1991). Her children's friends considered Karen to be a good advice-giver and, at times, a shoulder to cry on.
Karen returned to work in 1987 as the Guidance Secretary at TJHSST. In 1992 she became a Guidance Secretary for Robinson Secondary School, where she worked until 1997. What Karen enjoyed most about working in the Fairfax County Public School system was working with the students, helping guide and nurture young people to good and better decisions in high school and beyond.
The Allen family has been members of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, Virginia since 1977. Karen was an active parishioner as well as a former Sunday School teacher and member of the Flower Guild.
Karen loved to travel, particularly to and with family. The family made trips back to Iowa, and took an annual trip to The Outer Banks, North Carolina where they often hosted friends and extended family.
Karen and her husband traveled throughout the USA and Germany, and to Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, England, and Australia, frequently traveling with their adult children, too. Karen spent two months in Australia helping her daughter Teresa after her granddaughter Genevieve was born.
Karen is survived by her husband Rich; her children, daughter Martha Allen Godin and son-in-law Tom Godin, her son Christopher and daughter-in-law Sherean Malekzadeh Allen, and her daughter Teresa Diane Allen; her grandchildren Matthew and David Godin, Genevieve Paulina Allen Schmidt, and Hunter Allen; her siblings Dianne Fell, Roger Heesch, and Jean Mogle; her aunt Terry Brazie; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The Allen family would like to thank the Virginian Retirement Community, particularly the third floor Assisted living nursing staff, the Willow nursing staff, and the physical therapy unit; Sabine Shreves Elbe; The Fair Oaks Parkinson Support Group; the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area; Dr. Madeline Erario; Dr. Randolph Stephenson; Dr. Catherine Crone; and Dr. Collette Magnant.
Karen is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, and friend.
She is an athlete.
She is a volunteer, a leader, a teacher.
She is beloved.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Rich and family, my condolence in Karen’s passing. She was a sweet gal and I know you will miss her. I really got to know her better after we graduated and attended our class reunionos.
Martha and Tess, my heart goes out to you both and your family in this trying time. I only met your mother a few times but I know that she had to have been amazing to have raised 2 such extraordinary women.
Rich, My deepest heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. My prayers are with you. May the many wonderful memories sustain you in this difficult time.
My deepest sympathy to Rich and the entire family. I’m so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I remember Karen in our pool exercise class at the Woodlands. Her athleticism and sense of fun were obvious. I was impressed by Karen’s determination and spunk, even when she faced physical challenges. I enjoyed hearing her talk about her family, her early years and her pies at our lunch gatherings after the pool class. I remember her as friendly, engaging and down-to-earth— a wonderful, caring person who was a pleasure to talk with.
I remember many times with Karen – especially on the basketball team with her in our small Iowa town. Peace, prayers and good wishes to Rich and the family as you adjust to life without Karen. Sincerely, Janet Johnson
Dearest Allen Family: What a lovely lady Karen was. So gracious and kind to all of us her neighbors. Richard, our prayers to you at this time of loss. May God bless Karen and her beautiful family. Much love, your neighbor Margaret
Dearest Allen Family: What a lovely lady Karen was. So gracious and kind to all of us her neighbors. Richard, our prayers to you at this time of loss. May God bless Karen and her beautiful family. Much love, your neighbor Margaret
Dear Richard and family: Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of your beloved Karen. It was a blessing for me to be able to minister to her, and to you Richard, when you were parishioners at St. Christopher’s. Sharing Eucharist in your home was a gift for us all. You are all in my prayers as you grieve the loss of this wonderful woman, even as you celebrate her new and larger life in Jesus Christ. Godspeed.
Dear Richard and family: Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of your beloved Karen. It was a blessing for me to be able to minister to her, and to you Richard, when you were parishioners at St. Christopher’s. Sharing Eucharist in your home was a gift for us all. You are all in my prayers as you grieve the loss of this wonderful woman, even as you celebrate her new and larger life in Jesus Christ. Godspeed.
Teresa and family – I’ve been out of town and just returned to learn the sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Rich, Martha,Chris and Teresa, My thoughts and prayers are with you all.I have such fond memories of your Mom and all of you at West Springfield Elementary. You had a fantastic wife and mother and I know you have wonderful memories of all she did for and with you. She will be sorely missed. God bless you and keep you. Your former 6th grade teacher, Judy Lawson
Dear Rich and family — We join with you in celebrating Karen’s life and cherishing her memory. May you find peace during this time of sorrow and cling to the hope of brighter days ahead. Blessings, Rick and Jane Schuchardt
Dear Allen Family: we are so very sorry to learn of Karen’s passing, and we send our love and prayers to all of you. We have such happy memories of the days when we raised our families together on Springfield Village Drive. Blessings, Larry and Carolyn
Dear Rich and family, we are so sorry to hear your sad news. Hope you can console yourselves with your happy memories!
Dear Rich and family, Our deepest sympathy for your loss. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Rich and family, We were so sorry to hear of Karen’s recent passing. Please accept our sincere condolences and know that we are keeping you in our prayers. Jim and Barbara Gibson
Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. (James 4:8)
Karen was one of the most amazing people I know. She had such a great heart and loved life. Even so I had not seen Karen in a couple of years after her move to Fairfax, I still thought of her spunk and helpfulness. I am very blessed that God blessed me with Karen in my life. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to her family.
Karen was one of the most amazing people I know. She had such a great heart and loved life. Even so I had not seen Karen in a couple of years after her move to Fairfax, I still thought of her spunk and helpfulness. I am very blessed that God blessed me with Karen in my life. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to her family.