Doris Bryson Allio

Doris Bryson Allio, 87, a longtime Meadville resident and living at Hillside Home for the past 2 years, and a resident at Rolling Fields for the past two and one half months, died there Monday, September 8, 2008 after a period of declining health.

She was born May 4, 1921 in West Sunbury, Butler County, a daughter of the late Bradford Austin and Margaret Klink Bryson.  After graduating from West Sunbury High School in 1940, she moved to Meadville and on June 28, 1941 she married John J. (Jack) Allio at Redclyffe, Forest Co., PA   He preceded her in death November 21, 1980 after 39 years of marriage.

Prior to her marriage, she had worked briefly at the American Viscose Corp.  She was a full-time housewife and mother, enjoying sewing, bowling, traveling, crossword puzzles and bingo.  She worked part-tme at the Crawford Store in Meadville as a seamstress in the alterations department.

Doris was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Meadville, a member and Past Worthy Matron of Golden Crown Chapter #44, Order of Eastern Star, Meadville, a Past District Deputy Grand Matron of District 1-B, Order of Eastern Star, a member and Past Worthy High Priestess of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, a member and Past Royal Matron of the Order of the Amaranth.  She was a former member and treasurer of the YWCA Board of Directors where she helped establish the Gallivanters Club.

She is survived by two children, her son, J. Terence Allio and his wife Elizabeth of Dauphin, PA and her daughter, Rita E. Bowser and her husband Robert J. of Meadville, three grandchildren, Tara King and her husband Tom, Irma Bean and her husband Dave, and Christopher Allio and his wife Marcia, all of Meadville, seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Herman Bryson of Fontana, CA and Bill Bryson of Lyons, IL, and one sister, Helen B. Kays of Columbus, IN.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.  The funeral and committal service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Sarah Daniels Roncolato officiating.

Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 828 N. Main St., Meadville, PA 16335 or Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 1645 West 8th St., Erie, PA 16505.