Mary Jo (Norton) Allen

SPRINGFIELD

Mary Jo (Norton) Allen passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She was born on December 31, 1940 in Cambridge, MA to the late Joseph and Alice (Fuhs) Norton. She married Edward Allen in 1959 (since divorced), and proudly raised six sons, John, Richard, Barry, Robert, David, and Mark. Mary Jo’s life revolved around her family; she was passionate about raising her children while they were young.  She was always available and focused to help them achieve their goals, whether it was a homework project or taking them to swim practice at 5:30am. The family moved from Rockland, MA to Neponset, MA to Rochester, NY to Amherst, NY before settling in Springfield, MA. When the children were grown, Mary Jo graduated from Cambridge College with a Master’s Degree in 1990 and began her second career as a Human Resource professional.  She worked at Brightside in West Springfield, MA and LISC in New York City (VP Human Resources) until her retirement in 2018. Mary Jo loved finding interesting items at yard sales, creating amazing quilts, reading books, and entertaining her family and friends at dinner every Saturday night. She was a unique person that helped every person she cared about become better in ways they would never have believed possible. Mary Jo will be forever missed by her six sons: John Allen, Richard Allen, Barry Allen, Robert Allen and his wife Brenda, David Allen, and Mark Allen; two brothers, Robert and Phillip Norton; five grandchildren: John, Nicole, James, Stephanie, and Claire; and two great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Joclyn. Besides her parents, Mary Jo was predeceased by a grandson, Douglas. A Funeral Service for Mary Jo will be held on Monday, July 27^th at 3:45 pm at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 2 to 3:45 pm. Burial will be private. Those attending Mary Jo’s service are reminded that masks and social distancing are required. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Homeless, 769 Worthington Street, Springfield, MA 01105.

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