Allison Young Conley

Allison Young Conley, 64, died Thursday, May 8, 2014, at the Delaware Township farm she shared with her husband, Richard M. Conley.

Born in Pittsfield, MA. in 1949, she was the daughter of Quentin P. and Esther Field Young of Williamstown, MA. Allison won a full-scholarship to Smith College from Proctor & Gamble, and also held a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington.

A beloved mother, tireless advocate for at-risk children and families, and mentor to many, at the time of her death Allison was Chair of the Board for NORWESCAP, a non-profit dedicated to serving low-income families in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren Counties. Previously, she worked at Hunterdon Helpline and was the District Office Manager for the New Jersey Legislative office of former State Senator Marcia Karrow--who still marvels at the amount of “fan mail” letters constituents sent in recognition of the warmth and compassion Allison brought to tackling their problems.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Duncan McColl, Katy McColl Lukens, Sarah McColl, Bliss McColl, Christopher Conley, son-in-law, David Lukens, a 2-year-old granddaughter, Violet Lukens, and an 8-year-old granddaughter, Luella Conley, not to mention a large extended family, two book clubs, and countless friends.

A service will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, May 13, at the Locktown Stone Church, 323 Locktown Sergeantsville Road in Delaware Township. Friends may gather from 10:00 am until the time of service at the church. Interment will be private in Rosemont Cemetery.

Donations in honor of Allison’s work may be made to NORWESCAP’s Pathways to Prosperity Initiative at 350 Marshall Street, Phillipsburg NJ 08865 or by contacting Terry Newhardt at newhardt@norwescap.org or 908/454-7000 ext 110.

Arrangements were handled by Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to leave an online condolence.