IDA ELIZABETH ALLEN

Ida E. Allen was born in Houtzdale, PA on 19 Jul 1902, the third girl and seventh child of Laura Baumgardner and Cornelius Allen . At the time of her birth her father was President of the Houtzdale Fire Company, manger of the Houtzdale Opera Company and owned a Houtzdale shoe store. Later she moved with the family to Clearfied and at age seven arrived in DuBois Dec, 1909.

Ida graduated from St. Catherine's in 1920. She went on to study art in Philadelphia and then continued painting in New York City. (The Art school could possibly be the Traphagen Art School of New York. ) Niece Chris Moulthrop Decker has a large oil painting of lovely flowers from Ida's art school period.

She had an artistic temperament, always exhibited a certain "stage presence," and dramatized the daily events of everyone's life. Niece Nancy remembers the stories of the sibling rivalry between Ida and her sister Elymra. They constantly fought over a variety of subjects and one hair-pulling event over a boyfriend knocked down the family Christmas tree!

Sister-in-law Helen Allen remembers her lovely voice at weddings and Ida's regal appearance. She traveled as far away as Florida to sing at a wedding. She had long auburn hair that she wore up and was always beautifully dressed. Ida had perfect pitch but sang with such volume that the nun who was choir director kept asking her to "hold it down" and they kept moving her to the back church wall. Singing in the choir was often frustrating for Ida!

After her painting explorations she returned to DuBois to live in the brick house on Weber Avenue with her parents, brothers Ed and Ralph, sisters Jean, Elymra and niece Nancy. Niece Barbara Moulthrop Shepard remembers the girls confabs in Ida's room at the Weber Avenue house. Ida's bedroom was at the top of the stairs and the wall and the foot of the bed were lined with book shelves. Barb loved sitting on the bed with the large art and interior design books discussing art and poetry with her aunt. Barb was inspired by Ida to study interior design in college. Barb inherited one of these books and in the front is Ida's business card, "Ida Allen, Interior Design." Ida's good taste in furniture is remembered by nephew Jim Moulthrop as he posses one of her lovely chairs.

Ida dated Norm Schaffer from Clearfield for a extended time before they married. He was from an affluent family in Clearfield who worked for the Clearfield radio station. Niece Judy Allen Stoufer remembers him playing a special ballad for her. Norm and Ida lived in Clearfield and State College. The family felt that Ida treated her husband badly and when the relationship ended they all missed sweet Norman.

Nancy Roller DePrisco writes: " When Ida was dating Norm they went to several formal affairs and she had a selection of wonderful evening gowns. On those dress-up evenings my job was to dust her back with talcum powder. She saved her gowns and let me borrow one for a college dance. It was pink and black taffeta and I have a picture take in the gown. Ida was always a perfectionist and whenever she took me anywhere I had to dress exactly as she said!"

After her marriage failed Ida was determined to make it on her own. She lived in a DuBois apartment downtown over the Moulthrop store on West Long Avenue. She took a job in the next town and had a long commute five days a week to St. Mary's.The family was afraid for her because she was a terrible driver. Ida managed to have many fender benders pulling in and out of parking spots, but she seemed to survive on the road! Ida was executive secretary for President Warmer of Spear Carbon, a powdered metal factory. Nephew Bob Allen remembers her excellent professional demeanor and her assistance after his Penn State days in obtaining a job with the firm. Ida was quite active in the local and state business and professional women clubs and organizations. Niece Marty Mulloy Moulthrop remembers Ida's kindness. Marty was a newlywed married to Ida's nephew Jim and the couple was residing with his DuBois parents. Ida graciously invited Marty to attend the BPW (Business Professional Women's Organization) luncheons and delighted in introducing her to club members.

With help from her siblings Ida moved to assisted living in Kittaning, PA because she was suffering from Alzheimers. Later she moved to and died at Christ the King Manor, a nursing home in DuBois. Ida is remembered for her vigorous declarations of family loyalty. Proudly she proclaimed to everyone she was the "daughter of Con Allen!"