What a lovely lady who will be greatly missed.
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Christine Allen (16 Jan 1940 - 7 May 2019)
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Here is Christine's obituary ... in her own words.
Born 16-01-40 in Morley, Yorkshire- a woolen mill town on the outskirts of Leeds.
Parents were proud owners of a newsagents and sub-post office. A bit like Coronation Street!
Music was a part of everyone’s life and she became a proficient pianist and possessor of a rich mezzo contralto voice.
By the time she was 16, she was ‘doing the rounds’ of the local Chapel’s Messiah performances. Wonderful experience for young singers.
She left Morley Grammar School in 1958 to study music at Birmingham University. Here her career as a singer blossomed, and on graduating in 1961 she began to teach theory at the Birmingham School of Music (now known as the Conservatoire).
During this time she joined the BBC Midland Singers, and a chamber opera group - Phoenix Opera - formed by her singing teacher, David Franklin.
She was taken from the age of 9 to the annual performance at Leeds Parish Church of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. One of her ambitions was to perform in this as a soloist - an ambition she fulfilled.
Another ambition was to sing in York Minster. This she did - the mezzo soloist in Verdi’s Requiem -the highlight of her career.
Another memory was singing the Angel in Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in Birmingham Town Hall a few days after the assassination of John Kennedy.
After her marriage to Frank and the birth of their two sons, Warwick and Richard, her priorities changed. It was difficult to carry on singing when your husband was also a musician. Her children became her life.
When they were at school she tried many things. For a few years she was a tutor at St. Peter’s College Saltley.
She taught singing at the Birmingham Theatre School.
She taught music therapy in a residential home for the adult education service.
For the adult education service she set up her ‘singing for pleasure‘ classes at Arthur Terry School which ran for 12 years.
She loved her job as a school pianist- trying to give primary school children a love of music. Deykin Avenue, Heathfield, Short Heath, Margaret Mary’s all kept her busy until failing eyesight and Frank’s illness forced her to retire at the age of 76.
She sang with Louise’s quartet and began to rehearse with Richard Owen, and a new career as an accompanist blossomed. The trips to Carluccio’s restaurants playing for the three singers were wonderful.
Seeing her sons grow, marry and give her grandchildren has been the most important thing in her life. Richard with Caleb and Mackenzie over here and Warwick and Shannon with Nicholas and Charlotte in Florida - all doing FaceTime and meeting up together has been wonderful.
What support during Frank’s illness and death and my illness. I have been so lucky.
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I’m so sorry about the passing of your mum, Warwick. I have such lovely memories of Christine & Frank from your wedding & from when I used to drop you home after a white knuckle ride from Bournemouth (You were very brave trusting my driving in those days!) Will be thinking of you all tomorrow. Xxx
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My deepest condolences go out to Chris’s family I have very fond memories of Chris when she would come into SMM on a Friday we all looked forward to music Chris would play at all the concerts and many assemblies Chris was an inspiration to everyone and would always tell me everyone can sing but I always disagreed on that one with my singing voice we would always giggle at that comment RIP Chris you will be missed by everyone ❤️
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Warwick, please know that our thoughts and deepest condolences are with you and your family on the sad loss of your mother ~ The Accelerated Analytics Team
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In the small, close-knit Music Dept. of the late 1950s, we were all able to appreciate Chris's warm, funny and positive personality - and her wonderful voice and musical gifts. Flat sharing cemented our friendship and though meetings were for some years rare, after a University Reunion Margaret (Burthom), Enid Jones, Chris and I met each year for lunch, and to 'catch up'.
Following the difficult years of caring, when she barely thought of herself, the unchanged, positive Chris gave us hope of improvement - but it was not to last. She is sorely missed.
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I was so very sorry to hear of Chris's passing. I had the privilege of working with Chris at Short Heath School, and her piano playing and cheerful personaliity was loved by staff, pupils and parents alike.
I have so many fond memories of nursery nativities, infant concerts and junior productions; nothing was ever too much for Chris.
I am sorry not to be able to join in a final farewell but will be there in spirit. God bless Chris.
Judy Caddick
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My heartfelt condolences go out to Richard, Warwick and their families.
Chris was a wonderful, talented lady who gave many children a love of singing.
She encouraged my daughter to sing. After Nadia’s lesson we would have a coffee and chat with Chris. We always came away smiling.
Chris was full of life and her active lifestyle belied her years.
I have fond memories of Chris in St Margaret Mary’s school and of her generous ways. I won’t forget her welcoming smile.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May she rest in peace. xx
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My sincere condolences to the family of Chris Allen. What a wonderful woman. I looked forward to Chris coming into school every Friday. My Reception class and I had fun, learned loads and would be singing for the rest of the day once Chris had been in. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends but leaves us with warm memories. God rest her soul.
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It was a pleasure and privilege to work with Chris at SMM. Such a devoted, talented musician and so friendly and helpful to those of us who were not expert musicians. I enjoyed our chats about our families, especially our grandchildren amongst many other interesting topics. I was always amazed and impressed when passing her in the car to work, she would refuse a lift and put us all to shame by preferring to walk. God bless you Chris & God bless your family xxx
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Chris was a truly inspirational, talented and special person. She brightened up every Friday at St Margaret Mary as she played song after song. She will be greatly missed! To Richard, Warwick and their families, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Chris and I met as music students almost 60 years ago. Later we gave recitals together and went on two boat holidays. In more recent years we enjoyed going to concerts together and Chris made gorgeous cakes for my two significant birthdays. We had lots of laughs throughout this time. She was always kind and considerate of others and a very good friend. I shall miss her greatly.
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Warwick and family, we are sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother and offer our sincere condolences. The Accelerated Analytics Team.
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In memory of a very good friend.
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I’ve known Chris for 35 years and can’t believe it’s time to say goodbye to her. A wonderful woman and such a talented musician. I am hopeless with anything musical but she never once made me feel inadequate, just concentrated on helping me get the best possible performance from 180 children every Christmas and at the end of each school year. I had hoped that after having such a hard time supporting Frank through his illness that she would have had many happy years with her sons and grandchildren. I’ll always remember her cheerful personality and how well she looked at the end of March when I saw her last. Such a great loss and my thoughts are with her beloved family x
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Very many fond memories.
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Many fond memories of working with Chris at SMM School.
Such a lovely lady who will be missed by all who knew her.
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Chris is, quite simply, irreplaceable. We were friends for sixty years and shared our lives. The sound of her glorious voice with stay with me always, along with her unfailing kindness, humour and loyalty.
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We love you, Granny! We had so much fun during our visit last summer and will miss playing in your beautiful garden. Most of all we will miss your hugs and cuddles.
Visit to Granny's house Summer 2018
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