Anita S. Allen

Anita (Silveri) Allen, 98, passed away on December 8, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 15, 1925 in Ludlow, MA to the late Josephine (Carmell) and Joseph C. Silveri. She graduated from Ludlow High School as class secretary in 1942, and later planned many memorable reunion events. Upon graduation, Anita was employed as a secretary at Monsanto Chemical Co, Military Intelligence during World War II, the Ludlow Welfare Office, and the Ludlow Board of Selectmen before retiring as executive secretary from Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company and again as receptionist at Wingate at Wilbraham.

Anita was an active member of First Church in Ludlow serving on the Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, Stewardship, Capital Funds, Building Committee, Memorial Gifts and Friends of First Church. In the community Anita served as Town Meeting member for many years and was active as a volunteer at the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club, serving on the Women’s Advisory Committee, Board of Directors, Corporator and member of Capital Funds Committee.

Anita was the widow of Edwin W. Allen to whom she was married for 44 years before his death in 1989. Together they traveled to many locations in Europe, Bermuda, and across our country. She was predeceased by her son Gary J. Allen in 2012 and her brother Louis Silveri in 1992.

She was especially devoted to her family and will be fondly remembered for the many family gatherings in her home. She leaves her children Gordon and his wife Lynda Allen of Wilbraham, Patricia and her husband David “Zeb” Yelle of Ludlow and Gregory and wife Kim Allen of Ludlow. “Gigi” also leaves behind her four grandchildren Nathan and wife Alice Allen of New Orleans, LA, Heidi and husband Michael Maserati of Wilbraham, Joshua Yelle of Ludlow, and Marisa and husband Evan Hudson of Greenland, NH, along with nine great grandchildren Thomas, James and Emily Allen, Olivia, Elizabeth, Caroline and Madeline Maserati and Elouise and Juliette Hudson, and step grandchildren Megan Shelton with children Michael and Denora of Ohio and Jennifer and her husband Scott McFarland with daughter Erin of Orleans, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ludlow Community Center/Randall, 91 Claudia’s Way, Ludlow, MA 01056 or First Church in Ludlow, 859 Center St., Ludlow, MA 01056.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is done; I’d like to leave an echo…