After a long and meaningful life and a short and inconvenient illness, our beloved Allelu left us for another stage. Known as "Allelu" because her father was 60 with three sons when she was born and loudly proclaimed, "Alleluia, it's a girl." He died when Allelu was two so her name was his gift. At the age of 8, she moved to The Hotchkiss School, in Lakeville, CT, when her mother, Alice Dresel Beal, married George Van Santvoord, Hotchkiss' Headmaster at the time. Allelu attended Emma Willard School then Vassar College, graduating in 1952. In June, 1952, Allelu married John L. Kurten. Their love affair continued until his death in October, 2002. Allelu is survived by George & Dale Kurten; Jamie Kurten; Sue Kurten; Libby Kurten & Viktor Vejins; and her 5 grandchildren on whom she doted: Sage Kurten; Mackenzie & Spencer Kurten; and Alice & Amanda Vejins. Allelu spoke of the three circles that defined her life: puppetry, singing and gardening. She was an internationally renowned puppeteer. Her life in puppetry began more than 50 years ago when she volunteered to do a puppet show for a community church. From there she created tennis ball puppet shows and led the Pied Piper troupe. From 1979-1992, Allelu was the General Secretary of the American chapter of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA-USA), an international organization dedicated to uniting puppetry on an international level, and earned the nickname UNI-MAMA. She loved attending puppet festivals and supporting artists in the creation of new work. She served on the board of the Jim Henson Foundation for over twenty-two years from 1988-2010. She delighted in the creative process, but most important to her were the friendships that were created through puppetry. Allelu's home was a central hub for traveling puppeteers who sometimes stayed for several weeks or even years. Her singing circle included being a Night Owl and a G-Stringer at Vassar College. Both of these singing groups brought out Allelu's creative, exuberant side. The Night Owls were a traditional, highly-regarded a capella singing group, that still exists at Vassar. As folk music began to be popular, Allelu became an early member of the lumber jacket and jeans-clad, guitar-, banjo- and ukulele-playing G-Stringers, Vassar's prize-winning folk music group. She was an enthusiastic participant in that group's annual reunions, and created another circle of friends, who were people from almost thirty years of Vassar classes. Allelu's gardening circle included long time membership in the Garden Club of Orange & Dutchess Counties, being the powerhouse behind the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association supporting the Beatrix Farrand designed garden at Bellefield in Hyde Park, NY, and her own beautiful gardens at her home. She was honored at St. James' Church in Hyde Park in 2012 with the dedication of the first area of the Hyde Park Community Garden as "Allelu's Garden". In all of her "circles", Allelu shared her joy and light, her smile and her enthusiasm. She reached out to people who needed an extra word of encouragement. She believed in giving back, whether volunteering at Dutchess Outreach or more recently, at the Pine Street Inn in Boston. Everywhere she went, she collected friends and created loving connections. Even at Newbury Court in Concord, MA, where she lived for the last four years, she created new and important friendships. Allelu made everyone feel special. Her home in Hyde Park, was always a shelter for those that came, a place where nothing else mattered but the person. In her words, her home "was a nurturing, loving, creative haven for everyone who found us." Those of us who did find her, were exceedingly blessed. Her friend Cate Duggar said it best when writing to Allelu after a recent visit: "I especially hope that you know that you're leaving a blazing rainbow of love and light that will enclose and enrich those you love (and those who love you) long, long after your bodily presence is gone." A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 4526 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY at 1pm on Friday, June 10, 2016. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting one of Allelu's passions: The Beatrix Farrand Garden Association (P.O. Box 315, Hyde Park, NY 12538), the University of Connecticut Puppetry Program (802 Bolton Rd., Unit-1127, Storrs, CT 06269), or the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (305 Great Neck Rd., Waterford, CT 06385) where a special scholarship fund is being set up in Allelu's name to be called "The Allelu Kurten Generous Spirit Scholarship". Allelu spread her white light in so many areas. Just think about what Allelu meant to you and do what inspires you to carry forth her light. "Love & Light" is how Allelu signed her many letters; Love & Light is what she gave us all. Arrangements are under the care of the Dee Funeral Home of Concord.