Mar 9, 2011 By Patty Yauger 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Dedicated and knowledgeable are ways members of the community described longtime Carnegie Free Library librarian Julia Allen.

The South Pittsburgh Street library will be closed today as family and friends gather at the Paul G. Fink Funeral Home Inc. in Connellsville at 11 a.m. to remember Allen’s life and service to the community.

Allen, 64, of Dickerson Run, died Sunday in Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville.

“It is hard to believe she is gone,” said her sister, Ann Roller of Pittsburgh.

As a child, Roller recalled, Allen wanted to become a “big-time” reporter. However, already suffering back problems, the family matriarch steered her in another direction.

“My mother was a nurse, and with her taking care of Julia, they were very close,” said Roller. “It wasn’t that she didn’t want her to be a journalist; she just thought that perhaps she wouldn’t be able to do it with her back problems.

“Eventually, Julia decided to go into library sciences.”

She attended the University of Pittsburgh and became very active with not only the university’s library, but also with the theater department and other activities, said Roller.

She returned to the family home in Dickerson Run after graduation and worked for another family member until the librarian position opened at the Connellsville library in 1973.

“She loved the library,” said Roller.

“She loved putting together the Halloween weekend activities and the summer reading program; that was her life.”

Allen also was very fond of Connellsville and its residents and was active with several organizations, including The NSDAR Braddock Trail Chapter, Freedom Phillip Charter of NSDAR, the DAC Yohogania Chapter and the Western PA Genealogical Society- First Families, said Roller.

Despite her medical problems, Allen never allowed them to dampen her enthusiasm or workload.

“She worked at the library until Feb. 17 and went into the hospital two days later,” said Roller. “It is unbelievable that she is not here.”

Allen’s name will continue to be tied to the Carnegie Free Library, said Connellsville Councilwoman Marilyn Weaver.

“When Julia was mentioned you immediately thought of our library, and when our library was mentioned, Julia came to mind,” she said.

Debbie Rudnick, a member of the library board of directors, said Tuesday that Allen was knowledgeable and diverse, not only with the ongoing technological improvements tied to the library, but with cultural changes taking place worldwide.

“She was very well-versed on a variety of topics,” said Rudnick. “She always had well-informed opinions and offered feedback that you knew was relevant.”

Allen also had a sense of humor, added Rudnick.

“She had a dry sense of humor and you could joke with her,” said Rudnick.

It was Allen’s dedication that was awe inspiring, she added.

“While accepting of her limitations, her health issues did not hold her back,” said Rudnick. “She went to the meetings; to work and never made excuses.”

Barbara Bailey, a former volunteer at the library, said that Allen will be missed by those who worked with her and those that visited the library.

“She was not well for a number of years, but she still made her presence felt by being on the job,” said Bailey. “It will be difficult to replace her.”

Dr. Galen Wagner, a former Connellsville resident, said that he had returned to his hometown late last year in a quest to learn more about the development of the Wills Road community and sought Allen’s assistance.

“Although Julia, at that time, was very dependent on her oxygen supply, she vigorously searched for and found the documents in her crowded office that brought that section of Connellsville into focus,” said Wagner.

“She served the Carnegie library well.”

Todd Reagan, Fayette County Cultural Trust board member and Connellsville Redevelopment Authority vice chairman, said that he was saddened to learn of Allen’s death, but added she has left her imprint on many lives.

“I will remember Julia for her courage to continue her work at the library in spite of years of poor health,” he said. “She was a proud member of our community and will be missed by so many.”

Memorial donations should be sent to the Carnegie Free Library, 299 S. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, Pa. 15425.