Andree Helene (Foulon) Allen, was born in Rochefort, Sur Mer, France on July 25, 1926. She was born to Andre Foulon and Helene Chevalier. She was very proud of her name as her first name was that of her father and her middle name was her mom’s first name.
Andree’s father was a photographer before World War II, (this is how she became interested), and he owned his own studio. Her father fought with the French Resistance and was captured by the Germans spending 6 years in a prisoner-of-war camp. Upon his release he returned to his photo studio and accomplished winning many awards for his photography.
Andree went to school at the convent with the nuns (she thought them to be very mean). She then attended public school when her father became a POW. She said she liked the public school better, as there were “boys” there!
As a child she wore out several pairs of slippers trying to learn to dance on her toes so she could, one day, become a ballerina. When asked about her childhood friends, she would laugh and say, “I don’t believe I had any, as I fought with all of them.”
Andree remembers being very close to her mom as she was 13 when her father became a POW, and 18 upon his return.
Andree was working as a switchboard operator and on Saturday, April 8, 1958 met the love of her life, Robert B. Allen. They married December 24, 1958. Robert adopted Patrick, whom mom had given birth to on May 15 of 1952. A few years after their marriage, Bob was stationed in Viet Nam, leaving Andree and Patrick in Boise, Idaho. Upon his return, after his second tour in Viet Nam, Andree and Patrick set out on a 4-day journey driving the car from Idaho to New Jersey, where the car would be shipped from. Andree was the driver with Patrick as the navigator (and she had just learned to drive and just got her license)!
Andree loved to do her own photography and spent many hours on her computer. However some of her fondest memories were of fishing, riding on the back of Patrick’s motorcycle, and when Patrick took her on a helicopter ride to see the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. She loved wearing hats to match her outfits and loved to go shopping with Dawna, Patrick’s soul mate and life companion.
Andree took retirement from Ampex Corporation (Electronics Laboratory), after 20 years. She began on the line soldering on Circuit Boards for 5 years, took classes to further her career and became a Quality Control Inspector supporting electronic techs.
Andree was a loving wife and mother. She was an inspiration to all and will be remembered always as having a twinkle in her eye, a smile on her face and enthusiasm for life wherever she was. She had many jokes to share, she gave much of herself to those she met, and had more spunk than many younger people. She will be missed by all but never forgotten.
Andree was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Robert B. Allen. She is survived by her son, Patrick N. Allen and Dawna J. Hill.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd.