Clare Ann Allen, age 68, departed this life on Tuesday, December 23, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin, with some of her many friends and loved ones present. All those who knew Clare appreciated her originality and unique sense of humor. She will be greatly missed.
Clare was born on March 5, 1956 in Monroe, Wisconsin to John Allen and Mary Phyllis Allen (nee Brennan). After she lost her father at a young age, she grew up in Monroe with her mother and older brother John Allen in a household with her beloved grandparents, John Brennan and Rose Mabel Brennan (nee Butts). After graduating from Monroe High School in 1974 she attended Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin.
For a number of years, Clare lived away from the Midwest -- in Boston and New York. Eventually she returned to Madison and lived there for the remainder of her life. She worked as a longtime administrative professional for the legal unit of the State of Wisconsin Workers Compensation Division.
Clare was known for her sophistication and style, as well as her great beauty. She was a wonderful dancer, and during her college years in Madison, she was asked by several photographers to serve as a model for their art photography.
Clare was an expert cook and baker. She regularly cooked holiday meals for her friends on Thanksgiving and Christmas and was particularly known for her delicious lasagna and chocolate fudge cake. She was an avid college basketball fan and followed the Badgers on a regular basis. She kept a close eye on national politics as well, by watching MSNBC, especially following the work of Rachel Maddow.
Throughout her life, Clare faced numerous health challenges, including a battle with cancer. Yet, she maintained her characteristic wit and sharp observations of the world until the very end.
Clare was preceded in death by her father John Allen and her mother Mary Phyllis (Brennan) Allen; by her grandparents: maternal grandfather John Brennan and maternal grandmother Rose Mabel (Butts) Brennan; paternal grandfather John Allen and paternal grandmother Mary (McMahon) Allen; as well as by her uncles John Daniel Brennan and Jerome Francis Brennan and by her aunt JoAnne Frances (Moldenhauer) Brennan and cousin Jane Marie (Brennan) Johnson.
She is survived by her brother John Harvey Allen, Monroe, WI; and her aunt Eunice Lorraine (Moe) Brennan, Monroe, WI; as well as by first cousins Rebecca Mary (Brennan) Bement, Mankato, MN; John Daniel Brennan, Madison, WI; Paul Timothy Brennan, Madison, WI; Katherine Martha Brennan, St. Paul, MN; Thomas James Brennan, Monroe, WI; David William Brennan, Monticello, WI; Anne Marie (Brennan) Jorgensen, Longmont, CO; Ellen Jane (Brennan) Hands, Benicia, CA; Neil Francis Brennan, Prague, Czech Republic; and Laura Rosemary Brennan, Antioch, IL; and many friends, especially her longtime friend and caregiver David Arthur Anderson, Madison, WI.
A Committal Service will be held at the cemetery at 10 AM on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Calvary Cemetery, 1907 29th Avenue, Monroe, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held afterwards at 11 AM on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at St. Victor’s Catholic Church, 1760 14th Street Monroe WI. The service will be immediately followed by a luncheon at St. Victor’s Church. All are welcome.
In honor of Clare’s legacy, memorials would be appreciated to St. Victor’s Church and St. Victor’s School in Monroe, Wisconsin. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
