With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our caring, kind, and loving wife, mother and grandmother, Joy Allen, who peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her family on December 27, 2023 at the age of 90.
She is forever loved and remembered by her beloved husband Jim Allen, her six doting children Donna Boxerman, Diane Ware, Janice Wagner, Michael Allen, Karl Allen and Rebecca Swann, 15 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind thousands of students whose lives she greatly touched during her 46 years of teaching grades 1-3 at Lowell Elementary and Lindbergh Elementary.
Born in Milton, Pennsylvania, Joy had a zest for life and the world from a young age. She joined the Air Force where she met the love of her life, husband Jim Allen, who was immediately taken by her “doe eyes.” She got her Masters in Education at ASU and went on to become revered in the teaching community by students and fellow teachers alike.
Joy loved adventure and traveled around the world with Jim, a highlight in their many travels being an African Safari, which had been her dream for years. She also loved taking regular trips down to the family home in Rocky Point, Mexico, and shared countless family memories there. Her love for the thrill of adventure never waned, and as she and Jim were both certified pilots, she celebrated her 70th birthday by going skydiving with her family.
The beauty within nature filled Joy’s heart through her whole life, a deep love and appreciation in which she passed on to her children and grandchildren, teaching them to stop and behold the sunset, marvel at the rising moon, and admire the clouds in the sky. Her legacy of strength, thrill for life’s adventures, passion for the beauty of nature, and deep love she held for others will carry on forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Her Celebration of Life was a private ceremony. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Joy Allen to the Mesa Public Schools Foundation.
The Mason family extends our deepest sympathy to Joy’s family. It was a privilege to work with Joy at Lindbergh Elementary school in the 1970’s. She was a deeply talented, caring teacher who worked hard to benefit the children in her class. But out connection goes even further. After our first child was born, we decided to get a family dog. Joy gifted us a beautiful Australian Shepherd whom we named Fluff. That dog was a loyal family addition for the next 12 years. Thank you Allen family for many kindnesses over the years as we shared the common neighborhood of Lehi. Joy made a difference.