A joint ceremony and celebration for Gisele Allen, 83 and Donald Ray Allen, 81, both of Madison, AL will be held at 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29th at Criswell Funeral Home, Ada. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, with Rev. Harold Ware officiating.
Gisele Allen (Grandmere) passed away at her home in Madison, AL on August 14th, 2017. Mrs. Allen was born in Orleans, France to Renee Louie (Dunoyer) and Gabriel Robert Louis on February 17th, 1934.
Mrs. Allen’s memories of her French childhood during WWII and living with her sister, Marcelle, in L’Orphelinat Serennes/Orleans remained in her heart. In 1954 she met the love of her life, Don, while he was stationed in Orleans, France with the U.S. Army and they were married on Sept 15, 1955. She left her home country and received her American citizenship in July, 1961 after the birth of her children, Linda and Philip. Her and Don began a 44 year military and Dept of Defense life together that spanned California, Oklahoma, Illinois, Germany, France, Ethiopia, Kansas, Texas and Alabama and established life-long friendships across the globe.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Hawk (Allen) & John R. Hawk III of FL, her son, Philip Allen & Diane Allen of CA, grandchildren Jennifer Erin Cassidy (Allen), Tara Renee Hawk (Allen), Theresa Marie Wiseman (Allen), John R. Hawk IV, Elizebeth Louie Allen; 6 great-grandchildren; her sister, Marcelle Louie Cousin (Dunoyer), her nephew, Pascal Cousin and Michele Cousin, her nephew, Didier Cousin and Marie Rose Cousin, her niece, Brigette Queran (Cousin) & Jean Francoise Queran, nephews Franck and Frederic Targanska , as well as many great nephews and nieces still residing throughout France.
She was preceded in death by 12 days by her loving husband of 61+ years, Donald (Don) Ray Allen of Madison, AL. She was also preceded in death by both her parents and her brother, Jean Dunoyer of France.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent in memoriam to Southern Care Hospice’s Grace Fund, 200 Westside Square, Suite# 440, Huntsville, Al 35801 or Always There, 820B Franklin St. SE, Huntsville, AL 35801.
Her family will forever be grateful for the staff, nurses and caregivers that provided their love, compassion, prayers and guidance.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
