Emma Allen

Emma Isabel was born in Tacoma, WA on June 8, 1997. She spent her early years in Gig Harbor, WA where she attended Discovery Elementary but grew up mainly in Spokane, WA. She attended Libby School and Ferris High School, where she developed and nurtured a love of music, and was first turned onto the medical sciences. In Emma’s junior year, the family moved to New Hampshire and she completed her junior year at Goffstown High School, where she graduated early. Emma went on to complete a Bachelor's in Chemistry at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. She was most recently a chemistry graduate student at Bryn Mawr College, was set to complete her Masters this fall, and would have continued in her studies at Bryn Mawr as a doctoral student. Emma was a gifted artist, musician, and writer. As a young girl, she enjoyed creating her own comics, composing music on the piano, and writing witty short stories. She was an avid reader and was often found hiding under her blankets reading with a flashlight into the wee hours of the morning. Her love of reading brought Harry Potter into our family, as she had read the first five books at the age of six. For several years, she mostly spoke in a British accent at home, and when playing Harry Potter video games, she could be heard retorting “Oh, bloody hell.” Much to the consternation of her siblings, Emma was the kind of girl who was good at everything she tried. Except for putting one foot in front of the other- she was quite the klutz. Not a day would go by where she didn’t spill or trip over her own little feet. Despite this, she was also athletic and tried many sports, including softball, fencing, and soccer. She ultimately chose to stick with swimming and karate. She participated in local swim teams through the YMCA and Spokane Rec, and was accomplished in Karate, having earned a brown/black belt. Music was a passion for Emma. She had a beautiful voice and had always sung to herself, from the time she was in a car seat. She was an excellent flutist, having played up through her freshman year in college and taught herself multiple instruments. She loved being in band and the friendships she made because of music. Emma’s love of science and math led her to Bryn Mawr where she thoroughly enjoyed conducting research and working in the lab. However, she discovered a passion for teaching and had planned on a career in academia hoping to land a position at an all women’s college. Emma enrolled at an all women’s college unexpectedly and based on the education and opportunities presented to her, wanted to continue to support the mission of women’s colleges. Emma is survived by her parents, Jeff and Kris Allen, and her siblings Bailey and Elliot Allen, of Goffstown, NH; her grandparents Dan and Sharon Cagle of University Place, WA and Clarence Oleson of Tacoma, WA; her cats Mecca and Wesley; many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a host of friends near and far. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Valerie Oleson, and uncle Jim Allen. A memorial service is planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a social justice cause of your choice.