Peggy Jane Sinclair Allen

Peggy Jane Sinclair Allen, 98, of La Junta passed away on April 22, 2022, after a brief illness at the Crowley County Nursing Home in Ordway with her daughters and sons-in-law by her side. She was born on September 15, 1923, at home in Limon, Colorado to Alvin C. & Mary Evella (Welbourn) Sinclair.

After graduating from Limon High School in 1941, she attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota for two years. During World War II, there was a shortage of public-school teachers. Peggy’s love of children and her interest in teaching led her to a “Crash course” war-time teaching certificate over the summer of 1943 at Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley. After completing the teaching certification that summer, Peggy taught elementary school in Platteville, CO for the school year 1943-1944.

After teaching in Platteville, Peggy continued her education at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, graduating in 1946 with a degree in Primary Education. She also graduated with a minor in music (piano and organ). Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position in Orland, California and stayed in California for one year.

She met the love of her life, Eelan Allen, back home in Limon. Peggy and Eelan were married on June 8, 1947. The couple settled in Genoa, CO on the family’s farming and ranching operation. Four daughters were born to Peggy and Eelan, Mary Joy, Jody Ann, Nancy Jane and Neyla Sinclair Allen.

The Allen family moved to Fort Collins in 1956. Peggy resumed her teaching career, teaching elementary school in Fort Collins. In 1962, the family moved to La Junta. Peggy continued her teaching – she was a beloved 3rd grade teacher at Columbian School until her retirement in 1977.

Peggy and Eelan retired full time in 1980 and moved to Colorado Springs. They traveled extensively during the next ten years. In 1981, they spent a month driving the eastern 2/3 of the United States. Trips to Hawaii, Mexico and around Colorado were the couple’s favorites. During retirement, Peggy’s special interests were her family, bible studies and church involvement, friends, music, hiking, more travel, sporting events, and her love/hate relationship with the game of Bridge.

She was a member of P.E.O. chapter DL, Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni association, Early Morning Walkers, and First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs. Peggy lived in her own home until her early 90’s and was a great walker/hiker in her 90’s. She was a committed follower of Jesus Christ and an inspiration to her family and friends. “Grammy” was a treasured mom, grandmother and friend.

She is survived by her two daughters, Jody A. (Chris) Harrington of La Junta; Neyla A. (Mark) Driscoll of Fort Collins; 11 grandchildren, Karlie (Mike) Morley, Kellie (Dan) Buhr, Kaysie (Bill) Schmidt, Zack Harrington, Luke (Brigid) Driscoll, Ellie Driscoll, Andy (Jessica) Driscoll, Jill Cowdrey, Josh (Brenda) Bollacker, BJ Bollacker and Emilio Bollacker; 23 great-grandchildren and six great, great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Georgia Link and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eelan Allen; two daughters, Joy Bollacker and Nancy Allen; parents, Alvin C. & Evella W. Sinclair; sister, Mary Sinclair and brother, Tom Sinclair.

A Memorial service will be Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene of La Junta with Pastor Gail Allen of the Valley Cowboy Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sangre de Cristo Hospice direct or through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.