Ruth Allen

Ruth Olivia Connor Allen, known to her close friends as “Woodie” passed away February 1, 2021 at Amistad Rehabilitation Center. Olivia was 98 years old. She was born August 21, 1922 in Concord, Mass. to Louisa and Oliver Wood. She was married to William B Connor Jr. of Uvalde. He preceded her in death. She was married later to John Allen of Truth of Consequences, NM, who also preceded her in death. Also, her parents preceded her in death, along with her two sisters, Louisa Jordan and Jessie Knipple, and grandson, Michael Connor.

Olivia was raised in Acton, Mass which was in the Nashoba Apple Belt. Her parents were Oliver and Louisa Wood. She grew up on an apple farm owned by her father. Great fun for her during the Depression was making apple box houses and decorating them. She enjoyed her summers at the numerous local beaches.

After high school, Olivia spent time in nurses training and when Pearl Harbor happened, she joined the Navy Hospital Corps. This was known as the WAVES. While stationed at the San Diego Naval Hospital, she met a B24 Army pilot, Bill Connor from Uvalde, Tx. Bill was a graduate of the first class at Southwest Junior College. He became a geologist finishing his education at Texas Wester College in El Paso. He worked for Atlantic oil company and they travelled and lived in many towns in the oil patch regions of New Mexico and Texas. They settled back in Uvalde and had a local business, the Spudnut Shop. She would spend her time there helping her husband manage it. She worked many years at the Amistad Nursing Home as an LVN nurse. Olivia later lived in Truth or Consequences, NM for a period of time and met her second husband, John Allen there. They moved to San Antonio. Then she became an Ambassador for 11 years at the Audie Murphy Hospital. She would greet and help veterans coming into the hospital.

Olivia is survived by her daughter, Patty and her husband, Dale Bjork of Georgetown, her son, William [Bill] and wife, Rose Connor of Uvalde and son, Terry and wife, Nicola Connor of Denton Texas. She has five grandchildren: Oliver and Jason Matison, by her daughter, Patty. Maharlika and Michael Connor by Rose and Bill Connor and Marshall and Shane Connor by Terry and Nicola Connor. She has nine greatgrandchildren. She also has numerous nieces and nephews from family in Massachusetts.

We are grateful for the excellent and compassionate care extended by the staff and caregivers at the Veranda. She was a resident there for many years until she passed away.

Our mother will be remembered for her caring love and compassion and for the thoughtful, kind, generous and courageous acts she performed throughout her life. Her spirit will live on in everyone, especially with her family.

Cremation is under direction of Rushing Estes Knowles. She will be laid to rest with her husband, William B Connor Jr. at the family plot. The family will hold a memorial service at a later date to be announced.