Ann Allen

Ann M.Allen (Franich), 101, a native of Great Falls, and a former City Alderwoman, who lived most of her life on Second Avenue South, died of natural causes.A rosary will berecited on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. A traditional funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday morning, June, 21, 2013(time to be announced) at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery with Rev. Benedict Hughes, CMRI, of Mary Immaculate Queen Church of Rathdrum, Idaho officiating. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Ann was born January 2, 1912 in Black Eagle, Montana to Nickolas and Eva (Vojvodich) Franich.She was educated in Great Falls schools, graduating in 1930, the last class of the old Paris Gibson High School.Ann married John Allen in 1937, and celebrated a golden wedding anniversary in 1987.She was predeceased by her husband, John in 1990; a son John Michae1 in 1948; and her four sisters, Mary Tinelli, Frances Van Tighem, Cecilia Shumate, and Helen Simpson.Ann is survived by her son, Richard, of Phoenix, Arizona.Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.As a student of the Halsay School of Dance, she performed along with her friend Mazie O'Connell at clubs, Eagles and Elks vaudeville shows.She introduced the Charleston to the community.In her early years, she was employed by the Y.B. Store, Kress's, Montgomery Ward, and various city and county offices.She also was a Food Demonstrator in food stores and at the State Fair.During WWII she served her country, as an Air Raid Warden and her "public" spirit led her to join the Rainbow Garden Club, Cascade County Historical Society, Women Against the E.R.A, Community Neighborhood Council #6, and the Increment Committee.She was a secretary of the local American Fraternal Union and a National officer for many years.She was elected, with the 4th highest number of votes in the State, to attend the National Convention for Equal Rights in Houston, as a Montana Delegate.In 1969, Ann was elected to the Great Falls City Council as Alderwoman of the Fifth Ward, serving two terms.She chaired the Judiciary and Insurance Committee, Water, Sewer and Sanitation Board, and Planning Board.It was during her term that a new south side sewer was built, also the new fire station and airport terminal.She had a strong belief and concern for her neighborhood and community.In the 1960's, an Urban Renewal Project, led by out-of-state realtors, called for the destruction of the lower south side area, whereby the residents and property owners would have their property condemned, leveled off, and a New Urban Renewal project take over.No protests were to be considered.With her intervention and opposition, the project was voted down.Again Ann intervened when a new location for the Pre-Release Center for prisoners was to be considered for the lower south side.Her intervention by naming it unsuitable and demeaning to the heart of the downtown and business district successfully defeated the proposal.In 1984 she was listed as one of the most influential women of the Community.She was the author of a historical booklet depicting life in downtown Great Falls during the early 1900's.The booklet Yesterday is catalogued in the Great Falls "public" Library, and was sold at the Russell Museum.She was a well known contributor of Letters to the Editor . One of her efforts proved to be very humane and rewarding.On a vacation trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, she was taken to visit a local zoo.She was horrified by the inhumane conditions the animal life was condemned to, especially where three or four huge grizzly bears lived.It was a hot day and the habitat was deplorable.When she returned home she wrote to the Fairbanks News-Miner editor.The result was the closure of the zoo, with the bears and other animals relocated to healthier environments.Once more she came to display her belief in the heritage of the Rainbow Hotel and its worth to the city.The hotel was having financial problems and was up for sale or for destruction by the wrecking ball.She protested and brought the issue out for attention, and did succeed in helping save it.The move was a boon for the heritage of the Hotel, but little did Ann know it would be her Home Sweet Home for many of her retirement years, and for other seniors in the community.Her greatest belief was her faith in the Traditional Roman Catholic Church, with its highest tradition that outside of the Church there is no salvation . It was thru her letters to the editor that she kept opposing the destruction of the Roman Catholic Church, and the heresies and false principles that were being instituted by the One World Union Church (Novus Order Church).Ann passed away peacefully on June 11, at The Beatitudes, in Phoenix, Arizona, where she had been living for nearly five years.Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Seminary, 15384 N. Church Rd. Rathdrum, ID83858-7650,or to the Great Falls "public" Library, 301 2nd Ave. No., Great Falls, MT 59401.