Dorothy Allen Dies; Served 57 Years On Enfield Juvenile Review Board

ENFIELD, CT — Dorothy "Dot" Allen, one of the longest-tenured public servants in town history who cared for young and old alike, passed away Friday. She was 94.

Allen was Director of Social Services in Enfield for more than 40 years, and was instrumental in the development of programs such as Dial-a-Ride, the Enfield Senior Center and the Enfield Adult Day Care.

In Sept. 1965, help arrived for dozens of troubled youths with the formation of a Juvenile Review Board in Enfield. The first of its kind in Connecticut, the JRB was founded as a collaborative effort between the Youth and Family Services bureau and the Enfield Police Department. It was created as a diversionary program for youth as an alternative to juvenile court, with the belief and understanding youth were better served in their community.

From its onset, the JRB was comprised of police representatives, community leaders, clergy members from Catholic and Protestant churches and ordinary citizens looking to make a difference. One of those residents was Allen, who designed the JRB with longtime Police Chief Walter Skower.

After 57 years of service, Allen stepped down from the JRB in 2022, and was feted with a lavish retirement party at Enfield police headquarters. To this day, the board she co-founded continues to divert more than 100 youth annually from juvenile court.

"I never knew a woman more passionate and dedicated to young people," retired Police Chief Carl Sferrazza told Patch. "She was always looking for solutions, and was a tremendous advocate for the town. We were very fortunate to have her in Enfield."

Town Manager Chris Bromson met Allen when he came to work as town attorney in fall 1989.

"Dot was a wonderful person who cared deeply for the residents of her community," he told Patch. "Her record of service to the town is virtually unparalleled."

"She was a visionary, ahead of her time," former Town Council member Alice Egan said.

Police Chief Alaric Fox said, "We are extremely grateful for her commitment to Enfield, and we recognize that we will never truly know all of the lives that she touched and all of the youth of this community that she helped to route in a more productive direction."

Wife of the late Stuart Allen, she is survived by three children and six grandchildren. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, May 8 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield. A funeral service will follow at noon.