Virginia "Jeanne" F. Allender

Virginia “Jeanne” F. Allender, of Washington, who as founder and director of the Washington Christian Outreach, demonstrated enduring faith and unwavering commitment to serving the needy in the local community, died peacefully on Thursday, December 15, 2022. She was 87. Born on March 28,1935, to Mary V. Molinaro and Joseph Gigliotti in Waynesburg, she grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Washington, Pennsylvania. In 1952, she married Clarence “Junior” Allender, who survives her. Together, the couple had three sons and one daughter. Jeanne was a devout Christian and, more than four decades ago, her life changed after she was given a bag of used clothing and was asked to distribute it to someone in need. Donations of clothes and household goods quickly poured in, filling her home and a church basement. Her ministry grew into the Washington Christian Outreach, a nondenominational, all-volunteer organization that today serves thousands of community members in Washington and the surrounding area. Many of those she served affectionately knew her as Momma Jeanne. Although she did not complete high school, she went on to become an ordained minister and always remained humble about the public recognition that she received. She was honored with many proclamations from government officials and was a recipient of the NAACP Human Rights Award, the Pennsylvania Association for Volunteerism Distinguished Service Award, the Louis E. Waller Humanitarian Award, the Clara L. Deems Neighbor of the Year award, and many other accolades. The Observer-Reporter recently named her an ExtraOrdinary Person for her continuing service to the community. In addition to her husband of 70 years, she is survived by four children: Daniel Allender of Washington; Mary (Jim) Helicke of Washington, Michael (Vicki) Allender of Burnsville, Minnesota; and Joseph Allender (Rita Ross) of Claysville. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ryan, James, Matt, Dana, Hannah, Andrew, and Grace; her great-grandchildren Morgan, Eli, and Malakai; a great-great-grandson, and many extended family members and friends. She also left behind her beloved Chihuahua, Angel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Washington Christian Outreach, 119 Highland Ave., Washington, PA, 15301, which meant so much to Jeanne and to which she dedicated her life. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, December 20th, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where a funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 21st.