Obituary of Joanne Ellmore Allen

Joanne Ellmore Allen was born June 7, 1930 to W. Austin and Hazel Ellmore in Evanston, Illinois. She was part of a loving family that valued learning, creativity, and music. She became an accomplished pianist at an early age and loved to practice. She would cry when her mother called her to dinner, and she had to stop. She performed as a piano soloist with a symphony at age 9. Joanne went to New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, graduating in 1948. She enjoyed singing in high school musicals, especially Gilbert and Sullivan productions. She attended Northwestern University, played piano as a soloist with the symphony, enjoyed arranging music, and much more, graduating in 1951 with a BA in Music Education. After college, she was an elementary school music teacher. Joanne married in 1951 and had six children. She was a wonderful, loving, creative mother. Singing and playing games with her children and playing piano and ukulele with the children was part of her daily life. She would sing conversations and directions and her children responded in song. By the time the youngest daughter was three, the four girls sang in quartets. The girls have continued singing in trios and quartets the rest of their lives, now calling themselves "Joanne's Girls". Joanne's children all played piano, then added harp, guitar, flute, piccolo, trumpet, and French horn. Their home was a happy cacophony of practicing. What a joy! She was a very busy chauffeur, taking her children to music lessons, performances, sports practices, and games. Joanne taught piano into her 80's and loved seeing her many students grow musically. She spent her life helping others and was an example of love and integrity. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Terry Ellmore; sister, Susan Westbrook; and nephew, James Burke. Joanne is survived by her daughters, Kimberly (Brian) Brown, Kyle (Kevin) Hall, Kristin (Tim) Green, Kate (David) Unruh; her sons, Robert (Jenn) Allen, James (Tam) Allen; her brother, James (Susanne) Ellmore, her sister-in-law, Ruth (Terry) Ellmore; her brother-in-law, Howard (Susan) Westbrook; twelve grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. From her children: Mom was a devoted Christian and taught us about Jesus at an early age. We all grew to love Him and later taught our own children and grandchildren. What a precious gift - the best gift. Our best, most cherished songs are about Jesus. Joanne continued in faithfulness her entire life, praising Jesus during the tough times, relying on Him, and never giving up. She was our rock of faith, our kind and abundant source of advice and encouragement, our warm hug and safe place, our listening ear, our touchpoint, the best, most wonderful Mom. How we miss her. Thank you, God, for Your most precious gift of our Mom. Memorial contributions in Joanne's memory may be made to: Billy Graham Ministry, The Salvation Army, and Springs Rescue in Colorado Springs. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Brookdale Hospice and Bethesda Gardens in Monument for their loving care of Mom. Memorial Service, 10:00AM, Saturday, December 18, 2021, First Christian Church, 16 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. Events Memorial Service Saturday, December 18, 2021 10:00AM First Christian Church 16 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs,, CO 80903 Phone: 719-328-1793