Dorcas McAlister Allen, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, transitioned from this life peacefully on December 29, 2020, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Dorcas was born in Anderson, S.C., on April 12, 1935. She was the eighth of ten children and the last surviving, born to Roy Dewey McAlister and Mary Elva Junkins McAlister. She moved to Ardmore, Pennsylvania, after high school, to live with her oldest sister. Dorcas met her future husband, George, at a pool party outside of Philadelphia. They married on Valentine’s Day, 1959.

Dorcas was bright, vivacious, self-sufficient, forthright, disciplined and energetic, with many creative talents and interests. She was a skilled seamstress and loved to knit and do many forms of needlework. She had a good singing voice and, in high school, was known as the “Doris Day” of Anderson. She played tennis, paddle tennis, skied and was an avid walker throughout her life, even with her Parkinson’s diagnosis, and traveled widely with her husband and family. She loved birds, gardening, decorating and collecting porcelain swans. Dorcas was an active member of the P.E.O. and the Junior League of Philadelphia, volunteering at their thrift shop. She was also a gracious hostess and loyal friend. Professionally, she worked as an administrative assistant at Swarthmore College and at Haverford College. In late middle age, she earned her baccalaureate degree in English from Rosemont College and studied abroad in Italy. After retiring, Dorcas and her husband moved from Wayne, PA to St. Louis, MO to be near family.

Dorcas was a faithful Presbyterian and was an active member of the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, the Wayne Presbyterian Church and, later, the Ladue Presbyterian Church in Missouri. Her Christian faith sustained her.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of almost 62 years, George Morrison Allen, Jr. (now of St. Louis); her daughter Kristine Allen Kerr, her husband Raymond B. Kerr (St. Louis); her daughter Lynne Allen Avram, her husband Wesley Damian Avram (Scottsdale, AZ); her grandchildren James Allen Kerr, Megan Elizabeth Kerr, Andrew Damian Avram and Paul Allen Avram.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. There will be no formal visitation or services but, in addition to these memories, the family has placed a longer slideshow to celebrate her life at: https://youtu.be/NA-W22jCM7w.

O Lord, support us all the day long

until the shadows lengthen

and the evening comes

and the busy world is hushed,

and the fever of life is over,

and our work is done.

Then, in your mercy,

grant us a safe lodging,

and a holy rest,

and peace at the last;

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.