Sister Karen Allen, OSF

Sister Karen Allen, OSF, born Joan Julia Allen in Buffalo, NY on February 18, 1927, died on July 31, 2024 at the Stella Niagara Health Center, Stella Niagara, New York. She was the daughter of the late Francis T. and Florence (Schaub) Allen.

Sister Karen entered the Sisters of St. Francis on September 2, 1945 and was professed August 18, 1947.

Sister Karen received her B.S. degree in Art from Rosary Hill (Daemen University) in Buffalo, New York, in 1961; an MFA degree from Rochester Institute of Technology School of Craftsmen in 1969; Certification as Shiatsu Therapist at Shiatsu Center, Toronto, Ontario in 1991; and Certification in Reflexology and Shiatsu Acupressure Therapy. Believing that education never stops, Sister Karen also took courses in Administration, Spirituality, Scripture,  Holistic Living and Environmental Studies. She served as a teacher, principal, retreat director and coordinated Elderhostel Programs. Her ministries took her to New Lexington, OH; Warsaw, NY (1955-56), St. Benedict (1958-61), St. Lawrence (1956-57 and 1967-68), Bishop McMahon (1971-75), and Sacred Heart Academy (1957-58 and 1975-81) schools in Buffalo, NY; as well as Highlands, NJ (1961-67) and Stella Niagara, NY (1968-71); and the Center of Renewal, Stella Niagara, NY (1981-97). In 1997, she continued with various other retreat work and Environmental Concerns - until retiring in 2022.

Sister Karen joined the Stella Niagara Health Center community in October 2023.

Besides her parents, Sister Karen was predeceased by a brother, James F. Allen and Barbara (Madden) Allen. She is survived by nieces and nephews: Mary Beth and Kenneth Murray, Susan And Joseph Kibler, Karen and Mark Jablonski, Michael and Michele (Errington) Allen. nine grand nieces and nephews, many cousins, as well as her Sisters in the Stella Niagara Community.

Her Wake will be held on Monday, August 5, from 4-7PM with a prayer service at 7PM and Mass of Christian Burial in the Sister's Chapel Tuesday, August 6, at 10AM. 

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Stella Niagara, 4421 Lower River Road, Stella Niagara, NY 14144.

Visit www.rhoneyfuneralhome.com for guest register.

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