Lois Cornell Mcallister

Lois Irene Cornell McAllister, 96, passed away October 30 at her home in Niceville, Florida. She was born in Massillon on August 7, 1925, to Mabel Marie Keyser and Ralph L. Cornell. As a Washington High School graduate, Lois attended the College of Wooster for two years, then returned home to marry the love of her life. On December 29, 1947, she and C.I. “Mac” McAllister, Jr., embarked on 56 years of a happy life together. In April 2019, Lois celebrated her 76th WHS class reunion at the Sugar Bowl with 1943 classmates and lifelong friends. Known for her passion for flowers and her skill at arranging them, Lois belonged to the Homes and Gardens Club of Massillon and frequently earned blue ribbons for her arrangements. An avid card player, she especially showed her grit at the bridge table. Lois was president of the Visiting Nurses Society and a member of the Massillon Woman’s Club. Lois enthusiastically directed motorcoach tours across the country for the family business, Fidelity Tours. In her favorite destination, New England, she loved to teach her charges to tackle a whole lobster. She made memories for her cherished high school classmates by creating and escorting personalized group tours for them—including a visit to Nantucket to see their famous fellow ’43 graduate, the artist David Hostetler. Lois and Mac spent their retirement years in Ft. Myers, Florida. They enjoyed playing golf with their many friends at The Landings in Ft. Myers and at Oakwood Country Club in North Canton. She loved her churches in Massillon, Ft. Myers, and Niceville. A music-lover, Lois was an accomplished pianist and singer. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Don Cornell; and son-in-law, David Ream. She is survived by her daughter, Nanette McAllister Ream, and many beloved nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held December 1, at 1:00 at Central Presbyterian Church in Massillon, followed by entombment at Rose Hill Cemetery. In Lois’s memory, wear blue—her favorite color—but think green by contributing to help Massillon students via the McAllister Family Scholarship Fund at Central Presbyterian (47 Second Street, N.E., Massillon 44646).