In Memory of Kieran Ryan Allen: Gifted Artist, Sweet, Sensitive, Cherished

Kieran Ryan Allen

July 9, 1993 – April 2, 2014

Our community has tragically lost a valued member of the Allen family of Lafayette. We will never know the full magnitude of our loss, as Kieran never reached his adult potential. We cherish 20 years of happy memories with Kieran.

He is predeceased by his father, Desmond Allen, and survived by his mother Kate; brother Patrick; sister Mairead; grandparents Elizabeth McCue-Tunis, Jerry Tunis, and Freda Thackaberry; and Kate's fiance, Tony Rabinowitz.

Aunts & Uncles: Sue Coppin, William Coppin, Frank Borges; Chris & Amy Brown; Matt Tunis & Suzanne Lester; Alec & Dolores Thackaberry; Debra & Derek Martin; Chris Thackaberry;

Cousins Bryan, Matt, and Kevin Coppin; Cassius and Josephine Tunis; Bennett Brown; Ben, Ryan, and Andrew Martin; Mark Harper; Al Garrett & Louise Garrett, and many relatives in Ireland and England.

Kieran was born an 11-pound, beautiful baby with gorgeous blue eyes. He was full of life, energy, and mischief. His brother, Patrick, was his best friend from the day he born, only 14 months apart. Kieran was raised by his close-knit extended family, and was blessed to have Julia in his life, his high-school sweetheart and the love of his life. Colter Harris was Kieran’s best friend, and many high school buddies and family friends mourn his loss.

Kieran was quiet, sweet, sensitive, deep-thinking, intelligent, strong-willed, and sharp-witted. He was a gifted artist, self-taught guitar player, and an articulate writer. We cherish his many clay figures, sketches, paintings, poems, and songs. He loved to cook; his favorite recipe being macaroni and cheese, which he made from scratch, served with chocolate milk. We have many fond memories of Kieran at Stinson Beach, which was his favorite place on earth.

He attended Lafayette public schools, graduating from Campolindo High School in 2011. He worked at TJ Maxx in Moraga, Marshall's in Santa Barbara, and West Shore Cafe in Lake Tahoe. He studied American Sign Language at Diablo Valley College, and was enrolled at Cabrillo College.

Kieran fought very hard to overcome his disabilities and addictions. As a family, we are heartbroken at his tragic loss. We learned unconditional love, patience, and compassion from Kieran, and we are grateful to have had him in our lives.

He is buried beside his father at  Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California. 

RIP, Kieran.