MEDIA, PA.
Allison Marie Beal of Media, Pa., passed away of a sudden illness at her home on July 20, 2018, the day of her 39th birthday.
She was born in Ellsworth to Barbara (Kasnic) Beal and Leon E. Beal Jr. While an impressively hefty baby herself at 8 pounds, 11 ounces, her twin sister Amy was not to be outdone at 9 pounds, 1 ounce. Allison grew from an enormous infant into a beautiful woman with a larger-than-life personality, an incredible amount of empathy and boundless enthusiasm.
Allison packed a tremendous amount into her 39 years. After discovering a passion for acting in high school, she went on to get her BFA at Emerson College, and then moved to Los Angeles to act and model. Her life changed course from acting to substance abuse counseling, and she received her master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University, practicing in eastern Pennsylvania for the past seven years.
In between career stops, she campaigned tirelessly for marriage equality, fought for animal rights with PETA, collected (and distributed) needy cats, ran with pit bulls at Providence Animal Center, completed an ultra-marathon in Costa Rica, roped reluctant friends into triathlons, tried every form of yoga imaginable, traveled to South Africa solo and journeyed to India to celebrate her remarkable achievement of 10 years of sobriety.
If there’s one mantra that Allison lived by, it’s this: It’s never too late to be who you want to be. She took up surfing at 38. She returned to acting after 18 years. Upon the birth of her nephews, she became The. Best. Aunt. Ever.
She followed these passions with inspiring conviction, grace, humor, and kindness. She is so loved and will be so very missed.
Survivors: Allison leaves behind her parents, Lee and Barbara, of Macungie, Pa.; her sister, Amy Beal and husband, Brian McCormick, of Coopersburg, Pa.; her brother Scott Beal and wife, Leigh, of Pelham, N.Y.; her two most beloved nephews, Henry Beal and Graham McCormick; and countless treasured relatives, friends, and colleagues.
Services: The Beal family will receive friends at the Monteux House (1461 U.S. Route 1 in Hancock) on Sunday, Aug. 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be a graveside service at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at Woodbine Cemetery in Ellsworth.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Providence Animal Center, 555 Sandy Bank Road, Media, PA 19063, ProvidenceAC.org.