Mary Jane ‘MJ’ Allen

Mary Jane “MJ” Allen passed away on July 30, 2014, at her home in Sonoma, surrounded by family after a short, hard-fought battle with ALS.

She was 57.

MJ was born April 26, 1957, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and moved as a young child with her family to Downey. They later settled in Stockton, where she graduated from Lincoln High School. She went on to graduate from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in English. Additionally, she studied graphic design at San Jose State University. She worked in graphic design in San Francisco and Santa Rosa and also had her own design firm in Sonoma for most of her career. She had lived in Sonoma for the past 20 years.

These things say what MJ did, but they don’t say who she was.

Spunky and adventurous. Fun, fashionable and clever. Artistic and generous. These characteristics are just the beginning. MJ loved books and travel and was the ultimate trip advisor. She adored her husband and was a fiercely devoted mother. She was never happier than when she was with family and friends, especially when accompanied by rousing conversation. For big-hearted MJ, there was always room for more, be it another person around the table, a child who needed a haven or a cute animal. There was always room for more love.

Mary Jane Allen is survived by her husband of 25 years, Mark Zall; and her daughter, Madeleine Carter (Sean); son, Jakob; and grandson, Arlo Carter, all of Sonoma. She is also survived by her parents, Arlene and Howard Allen, of Stockton; brothers, Chuck Allen (Mary), of San Diego, and Jim Allen (Maria), Valenica, Spain; mother-in-law, Terrie Zall; brothers-in-law, Greg Zall and David Leyva, all of Sonoma; niece, Katie Allen; and nephews, Ben Allen, Santiago Allen and Juan Allen.

The family would like to thank the dedicated friends and family who provided support during MJ’s illness.

A celebration of life, with plenty of Motown music, will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in MJ’s honor may be sent to Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, Development Office, 45 Round Hill Road, Northampton, MA 01060 or by visiting www.clarkeschools.org/support-clarke/donate.

Adobe Creek Funeral Home in Petaluma handled arrangements.