Aili Mary Allen, age 94, passed away peacefully at MyMichigan Medical Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on December 29, 2024.
Aili was born in Sault Ste. Marie on March 18, 1930, to John and Helmi (Kotala) Huhtala. She married Eugene Raffaele, and they raised their sons, John and Ron. She the married Paul Allen and had a son, Richard “Rick”.
Aili was employed at Sault Polyclinic Pharmacy for many years. Later she worked for and retired from the clerical department at Lake Superior State University.
Aili was involved in the Finn Hall project on Sugar Island and the restoration of the old schoolhouse from Brasser Road. She had a heart for the Island and loved telling stories of its people and history. She enjoyed socializing with her friends at the Community Center luncheons and visiting, and entertaining people. You could not leave her home without giving in to her insistence on having “just a bite” of something she had usually made from scratch. She was a strong and stoic woman with a big heart.
Aili loved to go camping and traveling. She visited relatives in Finland twice and spent sixteen winters in Zephyrhills, Florida. She enjoyed being outdoors tending her flower gardens, feeding their ducks, and feeding a beloved turkey they named “Clementine”. She was also an avid reader.
Aili is survived by her children, John (Terri) Raffaele of Cadillac, Michigan, Ronald (Bonnie) Raffaele of Sault Ste. Marie, Paul (Jeannie) Allen of Sault Ste. Marie, Terry (Dalene) Allen of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Linda (Tom) Spuhler of Sault Ste. Marie; and many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren. Aili is also survived by her very special life partner, Bernie Roy of Sugar Island.
Aili was preceded in death by her husbands, Eugene Raffaele and Paul Allen; son, Richard Allen; granddaughters, Anne Rene Raffaele, Kelsey Dawn Raffaele; and grandson, Chase John Raffaele.
A Visitation Service will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Faith Lutheran Church, 1600 Park St., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Funeral Service begins at 11:00 AM.
Aili’s final resting place will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in the Spring of 2025.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sugar Island Historical Society, 500 E. Spruce St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com. Obituary as submitted by family.
