Jean Saffell Allen

Jean passed away Nov. 26, 2010. Services for her will be announced at a later date. She willed her body to the KU Medical School for Research.
Jean was born Aug 15th, 1923 in Junction City the daughter of Paul L. and Mabel Wahle Saffell. She was educated in Cloud and Riley County schools, graduating from Emporia High School in 1941.
She later graduated from Marymount College in Salina, in 1943, in art and completed her bachelor degree in design from the Fine Arts School at Kansas University in 1945, while there she became a member of Pi Beta Phi social sorority.
Jean then returned to Marymount College to teach art subjects until 1947, she then joined the KU Design faculty with the school of Fine Arts. She received her Masters degree in Design in 1954 and retired to raise a family.
Through the years in addition to raising a family she was Chairperson, board member, judge, consultant and student in several art disciplines, shows, contests, displays at KU, in Lawrence and Douglas County, being a Co-founder of the Lawrence Art Festival and display chairman of the first Art in the Park in the Community Building. In 1971 she accepted a teaching position with then Haskell Indian JC working with students mostly in weaving techniques and other art subjects, retiring in 1987.
She married C Roger Allen July 12, 1952, he survives of the home. Jean is further survived by sons Charles and wife Renee, Chad and wife Sherri, Tim and wife Patty and Tom. Jean is also survived by a sister, Pat and her husband Joe Siemens, seven grandchildren, five great grand children, three nephews, and six nieces. Two brothers and her parents preceded her in death.
The family suggests memorials to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation, and Hospice Care sent in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1260,
Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.