Marjorie B. Allon
October 1, 2018

Marjorie Baer Allon, a mother of four and the former owner of Marjie Allon Fine Stationery in the Shadyside district, died Monday, October 1, 2018, at the age of 95. The middle child of Dr. Harry Baer and Lillian (Mervis) Baer, Mrs. Allon became a fixture on Walnut Street, helping customers design wedding invitations, birth announcements, thank you notes, and other paper-based correspondence for 38 years.  “She loved working with people, talking with people, and thinking creatively to help customers design the right impressions for their messages,” David Charles Allon, her youngest son, said.  “Outside of the business, she carried the same lively, engaging attitude to everyone she met.”  Mrs. Allon was ahead of her time, operating a woman-owned business beginning in 1968 at the urging of her husband, Joseph Allon, the founder and operator of Pittsburgh-based Treasure Island Department Stores. Her first store, located just off the lobby of the Coronado Apartment building on Centre and Aiken, was about 200 square feet. She quickly outgrew that space and moved to Filbert Street in Shadyside and then to her permanent location next to Schiller’s Pharmacy on Walnut Street. When Marjie started her business, there were few small stationery boutiques in the country. Stationery was sold primarily in department stores, and Crane’s controlled the bulk of the high-end business. As her clientele grew, she worked diligently to diversify her business, making regular trips to gift shows in New York as she added fine pens, accessories, gifts, and greeting cards as well as personalized announcements printed by Crane’s. Within a few years of her move to Walnut Street, Marjie’s small business had become the largest dealer of Crane’s stationery in western Pennsylvania and had a clientele that included Pittsburgh sports stars, society figures, and everyday working people across all neighborhoods, as well as customers from neighboring states. She is survived by her daughter Jane Allon (Michael) Cuddehe of Fairfield, IA, Harvey Baer (Sue) Allon of Denver, CO, Eric Robert (Monica) Allon of Boston, MA and David (Pamela) Allon of Weston, CT; 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; her sister Sally Baer Moses; many nieces and nephews and her caregiver Ronda Frederick.  “Long after she sold her business,” her daughter Jane recalled, “she delighted in encountering former customers who greeted her warmly and thanked her for the role she had played in creating the right announcements for their life events. She loved working with her friends and customers, and they loved working with her.” Services at RALPH SCHUGAR CHAPEL, INC., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Wednesday at 10 AM. Visitation one hour prior to services, (9 - 10 AM). Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation, Ross Township. Contributions may be made to Jewish National Fund, National Tree Order Center, 78 Randall Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY, 11570-3946. www.schugar.com

Condolences

My most heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the loss of your Mom - she was indeed a warm and loving woman whom I truly enjoyed. All of our mutual friends loved hanging at the Allon home! She will be missed. My best to you all, Love you guys, Tom