Eleanor Martin Allen, 89, of Camp Hill and Nantucket, MA, passed away August 5, 2017 at Homeland Center, Harrisburg.

Ellie was born February 8, 1928 in Harrisburg. The daughter of the late Joseph B. and Marie (Verstraete) Martin, she was also preceded in death by her stepmother, Vera Martin, and her sister, Jane Martin Brown.

Ellie was raised in Paxtang and Bellevue Park and graduated from John Harris High School in 1945. She and her sister Jane, well known as "The Martin Girls," cherished their close relationship throughout their lives. Ellie graduated from Wilson College, remained an active alumna and later served as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

In 1949, she married Heath L. Allen, a Harrisburg attorney, with whom she enjoyed many happy years of marriage until his death in 2008. They kept a close circle of friends throughout their life together, sharing New Year's Eve with the same group for over fifty years. They loved to travel and enjoyed adventures to all corners of the world with friends and family.

Throughout her life, Ellie was a full-time community leader who focused much of her energy on empowering women and girls in central Pennsylvania. In addition to her work on behalf of Wilson College, she served as President of the Hemlock Girl Scout Council, as a member of the Session of Market Square Presbyterian Church, and on the boards of Managers and Trustees of Homeland Center.

During a family vacation in 1963, she fell in love with Nantucket Island. Over the next half-century, Ellie embraced and explored every nook and cranny of the island. On any given day, you could find her berry-picking, jelly-making, crabbing, stitching with friends, organizing a beach picnic or even scalloping in her high waders in late October.

She is survived by her four children: Barbara Allen (husband Lenny Reich, children Julia Reich and Eliot Reich) of Belgrade, ME; Heath Allen (wife Susan Ackerman, son Walker Allen, grandsons Heath and Rafe Allen) of Philadelphia; Melissa Smith (husband Mitch Smith) of Baltimore; and Martin Allen, (partner Tina Wilson and her daughter Julia Smith) of Santa Barbara, CA; stepbrother Bill Brennen of Bala Cynwyd; as well as nieces and nephews and their children.

The family extends sincere appreciation to the staffs of Homeland Center, Homeland Hospice, and Griswold Home Care, especially her devoted caregivers Bernadette Crosson and Latisha Watlington.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 12, at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg.

In Ellie's honor, please make a contribution to one of your favorite charities or one of hers: Homeland Center, Market Square Presbyterian Church, Wilson College, or Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.