Geraldine A. ‘Jerry’ Allen
(née Barranco), fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, entered eternal rest on Monday, April 20, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, James Harold Allen, who passed away in 1998.
Born Girolama Assunta Barranco on August 15, 1937, to Joseph and Rose Marie Barranco, Jerry was proud of her deep family roots and heritage. She was a second‑generation American in both the Barranco and Valenti families, whose parents and grandparents emigrated from Italy. An only child, Jerry grew up surrounded by a large, close‑knit extended family of cousins and lifelong family friends—relationships that shaped her strong sense of loyalty, connection, and community.
Jerry was the devoted mother of James Michael (Denise) Allen and Joseph Richard (Jennifer) Allen; a proud grandmother to four adult grandchildren; and a cherished great‑grandmother to eight great‑grandchildren. She was the heart of her family—a steady presence, a trusted counselor, and a guiding force whose influence spanned generations.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Jerry graduated from St. Margaret of Scotland Grade School in 1951 and St. Joseph’s Academy at the Fontbonne campus in 1955. She met the love of her life, Jim, on a blind date, beginning a marriage grounded in partnership, faith, and friendship. Together, they built a full life in St. Louis, centered on family, service, and shared traditions.
A natural volunteer, Jerry consistently stepped forward wherever she saw a need. While raising her sons, she began a career at JD Street & Co., but soon devoted her energy fully to family life and community involvement. She played an active role in her sons’ education and scouting programs, serving as a den mother; an officer in the Mothers’ Clubs at Sperreng Elementary School and DeSmet High School; and later as Committee Chair for the DeSmet Auction.
When her sons entered military service, Jerry extended her leadership and care well beyond her own family. She served with the USO, supporting service members traveling through St. Louis Lambert Airport, and later became Commander and Vice President at both the local and national levels of the Navy Mothers Club of America. She coordinated Christmas care packages for deployed service members, supported public events at Jefferson Barracks, and helped organize holiday celebrations for patients at Jefferson Barracks Hospital. Her lifelong commitment to service earned recognition from multiple organizations.
Jerry and Jim also cultivated a wide and enduring circle of friends. Together they enjoyed years of camping, social gatherings, and travel, returning annually to Florida and journeying to destinations including Hawaii, Barbados, and Martinique. Wherever Jerry went, she built community—welcoming others with warmth, laughter, and generosity. Known for her distinctive style, she was often easy to spot in a crowd, frequently dressed in themed attire and unmistakably wearing red.
Above all, Jerry will be remembered as the matriarch of her family—a woman of strength, grace, and quiet authority whose life reflected perseverance, compassion, and steadfast love. Her legacy lives on through the generations she shaped and the countless lives she touched.
Services: Visitation and funeral Mass will be held on Saturday. April 25 at the Shrine of St. Joseph, 1220 N. 11th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. with the Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m.
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