Mary Rebecca Allison, daughter of James Arthur Allison and Dora Clark of Johnson City, TN, passed away quietly on Oct. 7 in Port Washington at the age of 101. She was the sole survivor of five children, all of whom predeceased her. Mary had two children—a daughter, Phyllis Ann, who predeceased her in 2014. She is survived by a son, Robert Jr.
She was born in Johnson City on Oct. 11, 1913, and graduated from Johnson City High School. She worked as a secretary for Mr. Harris of the Harris Flooring Company in Johnson City for several years before moving to their Long Island City location in the late 1930s. There, she met and later married Robert E. Yohe in Oct. 1942. Their son, Robert Jr. was born in 1944 and their daughter, Phyllis, was born in 1945. While raising her two children, the family moved frequently as her husband was transferred during his employment with the American Bureau of Shipping as a marine surveyor. She raised her children while living in Port Washington; Hilton Village, VA; Antwerp, Belgium; Newport News, VA, and finally in Port Washington again. She worked in the Library of the Mariners Museum while they lived in Newport News, VA, during most of the ’50s.
Later, when living in Port Washington, she worked as a volunteer for many years at the North Shore Hospital medical library, followed by several years of part-time work at the Sands Point Nature Preserve as receptionist and secretary to Mr. Mills, the director. Mary was active for many years with the Altar Guild at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
A graveside service will be held at a later date. She will be interred at Nassau Knolls Cemetery next to her husband Robert and daughter Phyllis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory payable to The Amsterdam Continuing Care Health System, Inc., Hospice Fund, and mailed to The Amsterdam at Harborside, 300 East Overlook, Port Washington, NY 11050.
