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Joan Louise Webster was born in Kearney, Nebraska on April Fool’s day in 1937 to Dillo and Romayne Webster. She grew up in Kearney alongside her twin sister Joyce. In 1955, Joan enrolled in the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She was as ambitious as she was exceptional in her studies; but she also was distracted by Paul Allen, whom she met in her freshman year.
Their whirlwind courtship lead to marriage soon after they met, and 10 months and 2 days later they had son Mark to show for it. Joan had added extra hours and summer school to her pregnancy in order to graduate in three years, which she did with Distinction. Paul graduated at the same time and the Allen's moved to Fremont, Nebraska for Paul’s first job. Two years later David was born, and then Paul’s career took them to Austin, Minnesota where Greg was born.
Joan Allen was a beloved and caring community builder, business woman, volunteer and philanthropist who accomplished many big projects and many small and quiet things to benefit Enid and Enid area residents. She is an ideal candidate for the Enid Walk of Fame.
Prior to her death in June 2019, Joan was celebrated as a philanthropist who gave generously of her time as well as financially supporting community projects — especially the Enid Symphony Orchestra, David Allen Memorial Ballpark and multiple scholarship programs. However, her involvement was much greater than even those headline-generating efforts.
Joan and her husband, Paul, moved to Enid in 1973. With an academic background in dietetics and nutrition, Joan was head dietitian at Enid Memorial Hospital and then worked in child nutrition. While working and raising a family, Joan earned a master’s degree in dietary nutrition management from Oklahoma State University and also earned her private pilot’s license. As her husband and partner Dave McLaughlin built tiny Advance Meat Company into the 1,600-employee Advance Food Company, Joan was an active participant in the business, sometimes preparing/testing food samples and flying a company plane all in the same day.
One of Joan’s closest associations and most passionate philanthropic efforts was the Enid Symphony Orchestra. She served as co-chair of the $3.2 million fundraising campaign and she personally sewed much of the tapestry and prepared ornate decorations as the symphony renovated the former Masonic Temple downtown into the elegant Enid Symphony Center. Joan, who had been an accomplished violinist in her younger years, served two terms as Enid Symphony Association president and in 2016 became president-emeritus. In 2017, the symphony association named the main hall the Joan Allen Symphony Hall in her honor.
Joan also spent considerable time at David Allen Memorial Ballpark, which she and Paul helped build in what once was a decaying industrial area of downtown Enid. The ballpark, named after their son who died in 1995, is now regarded as one of the nation’s premiere amateur baseball facilities. What’s unusual, and significant, is how Joan spent considerable time as well as money helping others. At the ballpark, she was a constant presence, developing an interest in the players as individuals and sharing her love for baseball and life. Ballpark Director Bill Mayberry described her as a surrogate mom, friend and mentor to players and coaches.
In other volunteer activities as well, Joan’s enthusiasm was infectious as she led efforts to help people and improve our community.