Kelly Marie Allen, age 54 years, of the Neshanic Station section of Readington Township, NJ, died suddenly on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at home.
Born on September 7, 1966 in Riverhead, NY, daughter of Harris and Maureen Kolibas Smith, she was raised in Linden, NJ and had lived many years in Milford, NJ prior to moving to Readington Township four years ago.
Graduating from Linden High School, she went on to earn her BA in Accounting from Seton Hall University. She had worked at several accounting firms over the years where her wit and thoroughness were much appreciated by her colleagues and clients alike.
Kind hearted and genuinely loving, Kelly was truly one of those souls that was there for anyone at anytime. She was given the gift of being an amazing listener, and there was not a person more supportive or non judgmental as she; her belief that every person had worth and value permeated all of her actions.
Grounded in her Christian foundation, she was very active with the Phillipsburg Alliance Church where she was involved in several ministries, especially their addiction recovery ministry. Kelly was proud to be a member of AA, where she helped many people over the years find their way through the darkness to lead a life of sobriety. She was a woman who spoke her mind, which made people truly stop and listen, and respect what she was saying. She was able to touch people’s hearts in a unique way to help them break their cycles of challenge.
Above all of her life’s accomplishments though, Kelly was most proud of being a mom to her three children, Brittany, Michael, and Sarah. Each of her children fondly recalls that their Mom was always very involved in their lives; from PTO to book fairs to school projects, she was always willing to help her kids in whatever way they needed her support. Her sense of humor also allowed her to break down tough situations into a happy, learning moment for them. Her children also joke that they were never hungry as Kelly was an amazing chef: her lemon chicken and homemade chicken noodle soups could rival a Michelin star restaurant.
A lover of nature and the outdoors, Kelly was happiest relaxing at the beach or kayaking down the river watching the cardinals in the trees.
Though her life ended too early in the sense of what we wish for as humans, Kelly would want us all to take solace that she is at home with her Father in heaven, receiving all the promises given to those who are faithful to him. She leaves a legacy of love and triumph, and of hope and perseverance for all to follow.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother who was a major influence on her growing up, Helen Kolibas.
Surviving, in addition to her mother and father, are her husband, George Allen; her children, Brittany, Michael, and Sarah Fehre; her brother, Scott Smith; her sister, Tracy Smith Pritchett; her dog, Lily, and her cats, Felix and Toby; several extended family members; and many dear friends.
Kelly will lie in repose on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.
Funeral and Life Celebration Services, officiated by Rev. Randy Nelson, will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home and to which all are welcome.
Cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory, Ewing Township, NJ, will be private.
It is important to remember that given the current state of the pandemic, masks must be worn at all times on funeral home grounds, and social distancing must be maintained. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival. It is also requested that you please remember that only a certain number of people are allowed in the funeral home at any given time so we ask you to please remain cognizant of your time spent with the family so that others may express their love and support as well.
You are encouraged to visit Kelly’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.
Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking HERE.