Duane Constance (White) Allen, age 77, passed away peacefully at home, with family at her side Monday, February 21 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was born November 16, 1944 in Bay Shore, NY to the late Arline Hendrickson White and Julian Edward White III.
She leaves her husband of 54 years, Edward Allen of Ansonia, CT; her daughters Beth Kintner and husband Thomas of Farmington, CT; and Kathleen Moreno of Orlando, FL, her grandsons Benjamin, Reese, and Grant Kintner; and Timothy James and Drew Moreno; her brother Malcolm Bruce White of Canandaigua, NY; sisters-in-law Sharon White of Santa Maria, CA; Virginia Lammers of Jamesport, NY, and Kathleen Hanley and her brother-in-law Joseph Hanley of Islip, NY; nieces and nephews Jeanette Hall, Lea White, Julianne Powell, Sharianne John; Andrew, Jessica, James, Joseph, and John Hanley; Jennifer Zimmer and Gretchen Arimborgo. In addition to her parents, Duane was predeceased by her brother Julian Edward White IV.
Duane was born in and grew up in Bay Shore, Long Island after returning there with her mother and two brothers from California, where her father was stationed in the Coast Guard. She carried with her many fond memories of her family, her neighbors, dear school friends, the Great South Bay, Fire Island, and her Bay Shore High School days.
A 1962 graduate of Bay Shore High School, Duane later studied in the Laboratory/Phlebotomy Technician program at Manhattan Medical Assistants School, and then worked at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital as a medical transcriptionist, while living in Manhattan. She very much enjoyed being a “city girl”! After a couple of years, she returned to her hometown, and worked as a technician in a local laboratory.
After marrying, Duane and Ed made their home in Bay Shore for one year until Ed’s work took them to Massachusetts, where they resided for three years. They then relocated one more time, to Connecticut, where they raised their two daughters. Duane worked for many years as a medical transcriptionist at Griffin Hospital, for Dr. Juan Hernandez, and at Family Health Care Center in Shelton. From there, she took a position as an administrative assistant at a large cardiology/gastroenterology medical practice, and then Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield County, from which she retired in 2009.
Duane enjoyed needlepoint, genealogy, and baking. She hosted Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations that included her mother, grandmother, and great aunt for many years, the source of many special memories for her family. She shared a deep and affectionate love with her mother. She was kind and loving, with a streak of stubbornness, and maintained her sharp sense of humor right up until her final days. She charmed every caregiver she came in contact with. She was a dear friend, dedicated wife and mother, and an adoring grandmother. She loved her grandchildren immensely, attending many birthday parties, concerts, soccer, basketball, and baseball games, graduations, and generously gave her time to babysit her Connecticut grandchildren.
Duane’s family is grateful for the care she received at The Center for Cancer Care, Griffin Hospital, and Lord Chamberlain Manor. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Duane’s home caregivers, Ayetey and Sandra from Opal Stork Home Care, and to Connecticut Hospice.
Friends may call on Sunday, Feb. 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St. Ansonia with funeral services beginning at 3:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 1 at 12 NOON in Oakwood Cemetery in Bay Shore N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave. Derby, CT 06418 (https://www.griffinhealth.org/…, 2021 — 13TH ANNUAL 5K WALK/RUN FOR CANCER CARE — or to The BSHS Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, PO Box 464, Bay Shore NY 11706. (Harry Brown, hrap2@aol.com)
