Obituaries
& Tributes

(718) 372-4242
Immediate Need

Pre-Arrange
Your Funeral

Contact
Us

Site
Search

Dorothy Allen-Carter
In Memory of
Dorothy Marie
Allen-Carter
1930 - 2020
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Peter C. Labella Funeral Home
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>

Obituary for Dorothy Marie Allen-Carter

Dorothy Marie  Allen-Carter
Mrs. Dorothy Marie Allen Carter was born on Monday November 10, 1930 in the St. Thomas Hospital in Panama City, Panama. She is the daughter of the late Jamaican born Charles Allen and Mabel Agatha Allen, who migrated to Panama at an early age. Dorothy was beloved and known by many simply as their "Nana". Nana had two brothers; Caleb Allen, who awaits her in heaven, and Antonio Alleyne, who has survived her.

As a young girl, Nana moved to Colon, Panama, where she attended the Christ Church School in Amador Guerrero for 2nd through 4th grade. She then moved back to Panama City for her 5th and 6th grades in English at the Sisters School. Nana later moved to Rio Abajo, Panama and finished her 6th grade at Republica de Haiti School in Spanish. She later attended the Escuale de Corte y Confeccion Sewing School where she graduated With Honors.
Religion was a very important part of her life, and paved the way for her to become the Secretary of Heliopolis Temple of the Ethiopean Mystic Mason Lodge of Panama. Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing her in Panama will always remember her tirelessly sewing the religious Stoles and Aprons for her Lodge along with all the outfits for each of her grandchildren's birthdays.
At the young age of 17, the then Miss Dorothy Allen met William Patrick Wallace and they later married on July 17, 1953. Their union produced seven children: Cristina Dunker, William Wallace Junior ("Nando"), Sonia Small, Graciala Jones, Ivonne Cespedes ("Bonnie"), Roberto Wallace, and Julio Wallace.
Dorothy and William separated in 1975 and later divorced.
It is a testament to her strength and perseverance that she was able to provide a home and life for her seven children and numerous grandchildren as a single mother in the impoverished 1970's Panama.

In 1980, Nana immigrated to the United States of America and became a legal resident of New York. Nana spent an important part of the 1980's traveling back and forth between New York and Panama in order to bring most of her children and grandchildren to the United States. On September 17, 1998, she passed her citizenship test in the State of New York, officially becoming a proud citizen of the United States of America.

During her travels between the US and Panama, she met the love of her life, Mr. Montague Ethelbert Carter, who was a prominent figure of society. They were married on March 27, 1981. She also helped him immigrate from Panama to the United States, where they lived happily in New York City. For Nana, their loving marriage lasted way beyond the day of his death, which occurred on March 27, 1990. Her one and only dying wish was to be laid by his side.

Dorothy Marie Allen Carter - "Nana" to most - has seven children, eighteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends, including one of the best, Melba Bernice.
Nana fought through many health challenges: A number of strokes but got over it, "Thanks to the Lord!" - as she used to say; And she also survived a long and arduous fight with diabetes. She resided in Jonesboro, Georgia from 2003 until returning to New York City in 2011. She graced those in New York City with her presence until moving back to Georgia in 2018, where she resided until the last day of her life, Saturday June 13, 2020.
Book of Memories

Proudly Serving the BROOKLYN Community

(718) 372-4242 2625 Harway Ave. | BROOKLYN, NY 11214 | Fax: (718) 946-0820 | Email: pclabellafuneralchapel@gmail.com