Marjorie Thompson Allen

    Marjorie Thompson Allen died from heart disease Jan. 23, 2010, at a health care facility in Saco. She was 92.
She was born in Biddeford on April 20, 1917, the daughter of Herbert W. and Evelyn Dawson Thompson. She graduated from Biddeford High School in 1934 and from the University of Maine in 1938.
    She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Attorney Donald P. Allen of Biddeford, who died in 1987, as well as by her brother, Norman Thompson of Kittery, who died in 1990.
    An early exemplar of how an educated woman might balance homemaking and a career, Ms. Allen taught home economics for several years at a high school in northern Maine following her college graduation. After her marriage in 1940, World War II, the births of her three children, and approximately 11 years away from the workforce, she returned to the Biddeford area.
She lived at Fortunes Rocks and worked part-time as a bookkeeper at H. W. Thompson, Inc., the appliance and furniture store owned and operated by her father.
    In 1962, she resumed her full-time career as an educator at Biddeford Junior High School, where she specialized in home economics from 1963 until her retirement in 1984. She enjoyed sharing her love of preparing delicious and nutritious meals.
In 1996, Ms. Allen moved from Fortunes Rocks to Kennebunk, where she resided until her last illness.
She was an active member of the Senior Center at Lower Village in Kennebunk, and for a number of years was an enthusiastic member of a water aerobics group. She loved reading and spending time with friends. She was also interested in genealogy and Kennebunk history.
    Survivors include her sister, Jean Neiley of Kennebunk. In addition, she is survived by her three children, Dr. Deborah Thomas and husband, Dr. Gordon Thomas, of Princeton, N.J.; Attorney David Allen and wife, Mary Linberger, of Evanston, Ill.; and Dr. Stephen Allen and wife, Janice DiBattista, of Noank, Conn., as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
    A memorial service will be held April 3 in Laurel Hill Cemetery Chapel in Saco, with the Rev. Mia Dyson officiating.
Arrangements are under the care of Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home in Saco.
Memorial donations may be made to the Senior Center at Lower Village, 175 Port Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043, or to the Brick Store Museum, 117 Main St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.


Helen A. Murray

    Helen A. Murray, of Harwich, Mass., and formerly of Kennebunkport, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at Liberty Commons in Chatham, Mass.
    She was born in Boston to Robert and Louise McCabe Murray. She graduated from St. Gregory’s High School in Dorchester, Mass.
    She received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education from Boston State College.
    She was an elementary school teacher in the Boston Public School System for nine years.
    She was a resident of Kennebunkport from 1972 to 2000 and a parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish at St. Martha Church in Kennebunk.
She moved to Harwich, Mass., in 2000.
    She is survived by two sisters, Barbara Murray of Augusta and Jeanne Donne of Harwich, Mass.; and 18 nieces and nephews
    Visiting hours will be 4 t o 6 p.m. Friday at Cote Funeral Home, corner of Beach and James streets, Saco. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Spirit Parish at St. MarthaChurch in Kennebunk.
Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Biddeford.
    Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.