Jane Perry Allen

Jane Perry Allen, 72, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born on February 3, 1953, in Evansville, Jane was the daughter of Ed and Helen Smith. A graduate of Harrison High School’s Class of 1971, Jane went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Evansville in 1975. She later earned two masters degrees in critical care and public health nursing.

She began her nursing career at Deaconess Hospital and Welborn Hospital, where her compassion and professionalism touched countless lives. In 1991, Jane returned to her alma mater, the University of Evansville, after teaching at Henderson Community Collegeto share her deep love for nursing with future generations. As an educator, she believed nursing was as much a calling of the heart as it was a discipline of the mind. She developed course material that went beyond the technical aspects of the profession—incorporating lessons on empathy, communication, and compassion into her curriculum. From 2001 to 2006, she served as Head of the School of Nursing, championing an approach that reminded her students that the greatest healing often comes through compassion and genuine care.

In 1979, Jane married the love of her life, local attorney, Ron Allen. They spent years restoring old houses in the historic district, and sailing on Kentucky Lake and elsewhere. He preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by her beloved sister, Nan Smith.

Outside her professional life, Jane was a woman of many loves—her garden, her kitchen, her antiques, and the timeless charm of old homes. She cherished quiet evenings with her favorite shows—Touched by an Angel, ER, Promised Land, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Call the Midwife, and any Hallmark movie.

A competitive AAU swimmer in her youth, Jane carried the same grace, strength, and discipline throughout her life. Above all, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose gentle heart and steadfast faith defined her every day.

Jane is survived by her four children—Emily Lynn (45), Ed Allen (43) and his wife Ginni, Elliott Allen (38) and his wife Ashley, and Ellen Timmons (34) and her husband Phil; and her eleven grandchildren—Jack Lynn (18), Max Lynn (14), McKenna Whelan (20), Brady Whelan (17), Jonah Allen (7), Isaac Allen (7), Sayla Allen (5), Maeve Allen (2), Paige Allen (10 months), Quinn Timmons (8), and Bennett Timmons (5). She is also survived by her brother Jeffery Smith (78) and his wife Sherri, her brother Sam Smith (74), her sister Jerd Smith (66) and husband Jon Chambers, her niece Erin Brazel (46) and her husband Nick, nephews Calder Smith Chambers (32) and his wife Sierra, and Will Smith Chambers (28), and stepchildren Heather and Jason Allen. 

Jane’s family and friends will remember her for her unwavering empathy, her generous spirit, and the quiet strength that guided everyone who knew her. A celebration of Jane’s life will be held on October 30 2025 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on 301 SE 1st St, Evansville, IN 47713. Visitation will be from 2:00PM to 4:00PM with the service being from 4:00PM-5:00PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Montessori Academy of Evansville, a place that embodied Jane’s love for unique, creative, and compassionate education and care. Checks can be sent directly to the school’s address at 4611 Adams Avenue Evansville, IN 47714. Please put “in Memory of Jane Allen” in the memo line. A collection box will also be present at the service. For those that wish to donate online, please follow the GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/34bbf7f09