Mary Gemma (O'Doherty) Allen

Mary Gemma (O’Doherty) Allen, 89, of Catonsville, MD, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 19th, 2016, surrounded by all of her children & grandchildren. She was born in Baltimore, MD on October 10th, 1926 to the late Patricia & Edwin O’Doherty and was the middle child in a family of five.

Gemma grew up in Baltimore, spending many summers at “the shore” in Middle River, where she developed her love for the water and all things related including swimming and rowing. Her love of swimming continued as she competed in swimming races with her grandchildren as recently as last summer!
She met and married the love of her life, the late Maurice P. Allen, in October of 1955. She was a homemaker and dedicated mother to nine children, who loved to sew and cook and decorate (and re-decorate!) the home she shared with Maurice and her children.She will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends.

Gemma is pre-deceased by her brothers, Xavier, Patrick and Gabriel, and sister, Jeannie Martin, and is survived by her nine children, Kate Romeo(Jimbo), Jean Krieger (Bob), Peggy Doyle (John), Patrick Allen (Linda), Annie Allen (Tim), Sean Allen (Tina), Rose King (Steve), Bernadette DeJames (Scott), and Joan Allen; She is also survived by her 23 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 23rd, from 3pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm, at Candle Light Funeral Home-1835 Frederick Rd.~Catonsville, MD 21228~ Tel: 443-830-0310. The Funeral Mass will take place at 10am Thursday, March 24th at St. Joseph’s Monastery Church~ 3801 Old Frederick Road~ Baltimore, MD 21229. Interment to follow at New Cathedral Cemetery~4300 Old Frederick Road~ Baltimore, MD 21229