Deborah S. Allen

Deborah Smith Allen died on June 1, 2015, at the age of 94. She exemplified optimism and grace.
Deborah Coates Smith was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1921. While at Connecticut College for Women, Deborah met Yale student Richard Nash Gould Yale ’41, and they married in 1941. They had four children. Shortly after they moved to Atlanta in 1954, Dick Gould died at age 34. She soon met John L. Allen Harvard ’39, and they married in 1957. Jack Allen had three children, and together they had a child in 1958. In 1977 they moved to Savannah. Deborah returned to Atlanta in 1993 after Jack’s death.

Deborah was a supporter of education and a lifelong learner, reading constantly in history, the arts, architecture, and other topics. She was an avid member of horticultural associations, including the Primrose Garden Club in Atlanta. She gave her time and energies to numerous organizations, ranging from the Atlanta Junior League and Ceramics Circle to the Owens-Thomas House and Historic Savannah Foundation. Her varied and bountiful interests led her to make many friends of all ages. She had a dry wit, and even recently surprised hospital and hospice staff with her quips and funny remarks.

Her greatest gifts, however, were her readiness to help and her ability to see the best in everyone and in every situation. Her immediate response to any perceived loss or complaint was, “What can I do to help?” She instilled in her children, step-children, and grandchildren an appreciation for nature and beauty, a passion for history and preservation, and a love of animals, especially cats.

She is survived by her five children and three step-children – Richard Nash Gould, Jr., Ainsley Gould Donaldson, Deborah Gould Lau, Schuyler Coates Gould, Melissa Allen Heath, Elizabeth Lindsay Allen, Wendy Allen Sicre, and John L. Allen, Jr. – as well as 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her older brother J. Neil Smith, Jr., and leaves behind her much-loved siblings Melissa Smith Elliott and Rev. Ronald Smith.

The family would like to express its overwhelming gratitude to Winnie Thande, Charlotte Smith and especially Anne Kent, who together provided not just care but companionship and affection for our mother over the last several years of her life. Their care increased her happiness and doubtless extended her time with us.

The family will have private services in New England when Deborah is laid to rest. Friends are invited to share stories and community at a reception at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, on Monday, June 8, 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Deborah’s name to an environmental or animal welfare organization would please her immensely.