She was the eldest of three children of the Canadian physicist Frank Allen (1874–1965) and Sarah Estelle.

[2] From 1934, she lectured at the University of Manitoba on housing and design, as part of the Faculty of Agriculture and Home Economics.

[5][6] In 1976, she had a full-color photography show, "Ice and Frost" at the Langley Centennial Museum.

[8] Her photographs were also shown at the University of Manitoba and the Winnipeg School of Art.

[3] Allen was active in the artistic community of Manitoba, being a founder member of the Volunteer Committee of Winnipeg Art Gallery and teaching at the Crafts Guild of Manitoba.