Viola Margaret (Safford) Allen

ATHOL - Viola Margaret (Safford) Allen, 99 of Athol, passed away Thursday, December 6, 2018 in Apple Valley Nursing Home, Ayer, MA. She was born in Athol, MA on July 25, 1919, the daughter of the late Winthrop W. and the late Emma (White) Safford. Viola grew up in Athol and attended Athol schools. She worked as a house parent at the Stetson School in Barre for a short time and also worked for MacMannis Florist in Athol for several years. She volunteered at the Athol Memorial Hospital Gift Shop for many years. Viola was a member of the Christian Science Church. She leaves one son: John Allen and his wife Debbie of Townsend, MA; one daughter-in-law, Wendy Allen of Rochester, VT; four grandchildren: Kristen Gage and her husband Jason, Karen Murphy and her husband James, Sarah Corcoran and her husband Brian, Jared Allen; five great grandchildren: Haily and Lauren Allen, Sarah Kate and Patrick Murphy and Tyler Gage; her best friend since second grade: Margaret (Miggie) Cutter; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Dwight M. Allen in 2005; one son David Allen in 2007; two brothers: Norman Safford who died in WWII, Arthur Safford; one sister Anna Norton. Graveside services will be held at a later date in the spring in the Silver Lake Cemetery, Silver Lake Street, Athol. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Mack Family Funeral Homes - Fiske-Murphy & Mack Chapel, 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements.