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ESSEX JUNCTION — Nora Blake Allen, 87, of Essex Junction, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2013.
She was born June 15, 1925, in Fairfax. She grew up in Fairfax and was proud to tell stories of her father’s successful farms and her early days learning about maple syrup. She graduated from Bellows Free Academy of Fairfax, and in 1946 became a graduate of McDowell Dressmaking & Millinery School in New York City. She came home from her studies in NYC on a visit, and at a February dance she met Frederick in the spring of 1946, and married him on Oct. 19, 1946.
She always said her home was in Vermont. She could make a cake by age five, she loved to cook, bake, and work on crafts.
She was a professional custom dressmaker, but she also contributed her talent in the family’s business, the Allen’s Sugar House, a trade name known nationally for its Vermont maple syrup products. The family has many memories of her and her husband receiving honors for quality in the production of maple syrup such as the 1968 and 1973 Merit Award for the State of Vermont. She liked to tell about the fine art of sugaring, traditional Vermont style.
She and Frederick enjoyed skiing together, and shared their love of Vermont traditions like throwing sugar on “snow“ parties in July, and maple popcorn parties at Christmastime. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction.
She was predeceased by her husband, Frederick J. Allen of Essex Junction; father, Dean P. Blake of Fairfax; mother, Maude H. Daniels; three brothers, Charles P. Blake of Georgia, Vt., Dean Blake Jr. of Fairfax, and Dean W. Blake formally of Fairfax.
She is survived by her two daughters, Judymae and husband, Valmore F. Cognetta, of Manassas, Va., and Jill Blake and husband, S. Stephen Platt, of Haddonfield, N.J.; two grandchildren, Amy Blake and husband, Michael A. Santanasto, of Bethlehem, Pa., and Christopher S. Platt of Haddon Heights, N.J.; one sister, Ada and husband, Ruben G. Olivarez, of Essex Junction; sisters-in-law, Colleen T. Blake of Jeffersonville, Beulah B.
Richardson of South Carolina, and Betty Lou Allen of Clovedale; along with nieces, nephews, and many of the friends acquired over the years.
Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service and reception to celebrate Nora’s life on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at 4 p .m. at the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction. A private burial service will be held later in the week.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Corbin and Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nora Allen’s memory to the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, 1 Church Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452.