Obituary of Rebecca "Becky" Allen

Rebecca “Becky” Allen, 73, beloved mother, sister and friend, peacefully passed away December 11, 2023 at her home in Centennial, CO surrounded by her loving family, from metastatic breast cancer.  The daughter of the late Dr. Wayne and Katherine Allen, she was born December 11, 1950 and grew up in Athens, PA. She is a 1968 graduate of Athens High School, received an Associate’s Degree from Green Mountain College, Poultney VT in 1970 and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, in 1972. 

She moved to Denver in 1973 where she started her business career at The Denver Dry Department Store.  Through hard work and the support from great mentors and fellow associates, she progressed over the next 15 years and became the first female divisional V.P. Chief Financial Officer of the Associated Dry Goods chain of stores.  Sadly, after 15 years with The Denver, she was tasked with assisting in closing this landmark department store after it was taken over by the May Department Stores corporation. She continued her 40 year career in financial management at several different companies, concluding her career at The Women’s College of the University of Denver.

 Once retired, she was able to slow down a bit and enjoy taking long walks and hikes with friends, joining various social groups including her first book club, traveling more and general relaxation.  She has an immense love of and for her children, Katie, Mike and Libby Guiffre.  Laughing, crying, joking, or just observing life while cooking in her home kitchen, taking long or short road trips, or flying off to the beaches. All loved to entertain and cook for family and friends with Becky always trying to be “the manager”, until she had to admit that sometimes the kids could do it better. They were the joy of her life.  She had a very close relationship with her sisters Mary Lyn Ballantine, Barbara and Melanie Allen.  All four loved to get together to laugh, love and be thankful, often resorting to telling humorous stories about their adventures, or mishaps, growing up together.

She is predeceased by her mother and father Dr. Wayne and Katherine Allen, brother David Allen, and sister Barbara Allen.  She is survived by her children Katie Guiffre, Libby Guiffre, son-in-law Sean Elstins, and Mike Guiffre. Sisters and brothers-in-law Mary Lyn and Richard Ballantine, Melanie Allen and David Uhl, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Becky and her family are so greatly appreciative of the wonderful care and support these last five years from Dr. Basche and staff at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center – Sky Ridge Medical, and The Denver Hospice.

Trying her best to help Mother Earth whenever she could, she was laid to rest via a “green burial” at the Colorado Burial Preserve in Florence, Colorado.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please contact Feldman Mortuary for more information.

Though she loved fresh flowers, she requests in lieu of flowers to consider a donation to be made to one of her favorite organizations: Food Bank of the Rockies, or Planned Parenthood.