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Former TV star Sian Barbara Allen has passed away at the age of 78 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The The Waltons actress’s sister, Meg Pokrass, confirmed the sad news on Facebook, stating that her beloved sister “died peacefully” on March 31 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, “following a long illness.”
In her tribute, Pokrass shared: “My wonderful sister, actress Sian Barbara Allen, died peacefully today after a long illness.
“Many of you were her friends here, so I wanted to let everyone know. She loved her Facebook community and loved you all. This loss is too hard.”
Allen is survived by her daughter, Emily Fonseca, her two sisters, Hannah Davie and Meg Pokrass, her ex-husband Peter Gelblum, and her grandson, Arlo Fonseca, who “made her laugh more than anyone could dream.”
Her obituary mentioned that she spent her final year in North Carolina, surrounded by her favorite things, new friends, and more time with Emily than she had in the past 35 years.
Allen starred in some of the most iconic TV shows of the 1970s and 80s, including Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Hawaii 5-0, Columbo, The Incredible Hulk, and The Rockford Files, among many others.
She also appeared in several films, including Love American Style (1973), Scream, Pretty Peggy, Billy Two Hats, and The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case.
In 1990, Allen retired from showbiz and became deeply involved in politics with her ex-husband and daughter.
Her obituary revealed that she campaigned for “Jackie Goldberg’s 1993 city council campaign in Los Angeles” and was a “staunch supporter of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers,” never crossing a picket line in her entire life.
“Sian was also a remarkable poet and leaves behind boxes of writing that her family will be able to read for many years to come.”
Her obituary highlighted some of Sian Barbara Allen’s “favorite things in the world,” which included “her family, mystery books, C-SPAN, poetry, all things Ireland, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon’s Graceland album, mac and cheese, root beer floats, and bacon cheeseburgers (no lettuce or tomato).”
In lieu of flowers, her family requested that donations be made in her honor to “a local, grassroots organization working to combat systems of oppression.”
They also asked for contributions to the “AuthoraCare Collective Hospice of Burlington, who ensured Sian spent her final months peacefully and free of pain,” with a special mention for gifts to help provide financial assistance for families supporting loved ones.
Other heartfelt tribute options included: “Read your favorite book in bed. Listen to the entire Graceland album or any of Bob Dylan’s music. Eat some mac and cheese, a bacon cheeseburger, or drink a root beer float.”
