Ann J. Allen, 85, Proud of Her Slovak Heritage

She was born June 24, 1939 in Lorain, the oldest of 5 children to Steve & Stella Luca (nee Sirotar).

Ann graduated from Lorain High School in the 1957 B class. She married Dick Bobek on May 30th 1959, and started to build their family. Ann was proud of her large family. From her 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, she was always there to help when needed.

Ann worked multiple jobs during her lifetime. Early on she worked at the Hoop Restaurant. After marrying Dick, she was an Avon Lady, dental receptionist for Dr. Reber and finally retired after working many years with Lorain City Schools. In her spare time, she worked the fish fry at the American Slovak Home and at the Hallmark Store. She also volunteered at Mercy Hospital.

Ann was a member of St Peter Parish in Lorain and a member of the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lorain where she was a member of the Holy Name Society.

Ann was a member of the 7Ettes, a group of seven lifelong friends from the Lorain High School Class of '57. They met regularly for dinners, fellowship and travel.

She was very proud of her Slovak heritage and the local Slovak community; she passed down many holiday traditions, love of Slovak food and dancing the polka to her children and grandchildren. She was a member of St. Ann's Lodge FCSLA Branch 114, where she volunteered as treasurer for many years.

She loved that Lorain was known as the International City. She hosted foreign exchange students for over 10 years, staying in close contact with Leo Chan from Hong Kong.

Ann had a passion for travel. Starting off with family camping trips across the USA to numerous international destinations, including a trip to visit family in Czechoslovakia. She also took numerous cruises, and visited many of the foreign exchange students.

In 2003 Ann married Jack Allen. Jack and Ann loved to go on casino bus tours, dancing at the Italian club, and taking summer vacations with her large family in South Carolina.

She loved crafting, gardening, crocheting, baking, cooking and decorating her children's birthday cakes. Ann also had many, many collections. She was involved in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Indian Guides.

The family would like to thank Brenda and the staff at Griswold Home Care, Crossroads Hospice and her daughter Laurie who was always there for Ann in the last 5 years.

She is survived by her husband of over 20 years John “Jack” Allen; children: Laura Jones, Janis Baron, Tom Bobek (Audrey), Bob Bobek and Rick Bobek (Laura); grandchildren: Ryan Jones, Krista Werling, Kayla Teague, Courtney Jones, Kelsey Shanks, Nick Jones, Blake Rotterdam, Meghan Whelan, Areal Jones, Emily Bobek, Anna Baron, Samantha Bobek, Charlie Baron, Tim Bobek and Will Bobek; great grandchildren; Nathan, Brooklyn, Zachary, Hayden, Loxley, Jackson, Emmett, Hudson, Kinsley, Cora (and one on the way!); sister: Rosemary Eiden, brothers: John Luca (Ellen) and Jim Luca (Debbie); sister-in-law Elaine Luca; stepsons: Tom Allen (Denise) and Tim Allen (Julia); step-grandchildren: Nathan Allen, Andrew Allen, Alanna Allen and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Richard Bobek in 1993, her parents, granddaughter Jessica Bobek, brother Steven Luca and brother-in-law Larry Eiden.

The family will receive friends Saturday February 8, 2025 from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at St Peter Parish, 3501 Oberlin Ave, Lorain. Members of the St Ann Lodge Br #114 will pray the rosary in church on Saturday beginning at 11:00 am. The mass of Christian Burial will begin at Noon with the Rev Craig Hovanec, pastor, presiding. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.

The family invites relatives and friends to join them for food and refreshments beginning at 1:30 pm at the Amherst Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie # 1442,1165 Milan Ave, Amherst

Memorial contributions can be made to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 www.dementiasociety.org or St Peter Parish, 3501 Oberlin Ave, Lorain, OH 44053.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway, Lorain.

Online condolences can be made at www.gluvnashimohromada.com.