Obituaries

Edwin Lee Allen

September 7, 1944 - February 3, 2026

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Alloway Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of Salem County, 457 Shirley Road, Elmer, NJ 08318, or to the charity of your choice.

Edwin L. Allen was born in Salem, New Jersey, on September 7, 1944. He passed away suddenly on February 3, 2026, in the Christiana AccentCare unit following a sudden illness.

He was predeceased by his parents, Edwin G. Allen and Vera A. (Banks) Allen, and by his husband, Robert S. McPherson.

Ed graduated from Salem High School and attended Glassboro State College. He taught horticulture at Salem Vocational School. Later, he was employed by Mrs. Lamont duPont Copeland at Mt. Cuba in Hockessin, Delaware. He was especially proud of the woodland path area. Ed was a very talented horticulturist and greatly enjoyed making floral arrangements and wreaths for the main house during his tenure at Mt. Cuba.

He loved music. He was largely self-taught and later took formal lessons. He played the organ at Hancock’s Bridge United Methodist Church, Alloway Baptist Church, and occasionally at Penton Chapel.

He is survived by his sister, Michele Allen Burke (John); his dear niece, Heather Burke Gilchrist (Thomas); and his two grand-nephews, Jacob and Cooper Gilchrist.