Leanne Lane Allen

Leanne Lane Allen, of Freeville, NY, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of August 5th, 2026.Leanne was born on July 28, 1967, in Springfield, MO. After attending schools in Pittsburg, KS, Manhattan, KS and Chambersburg, PA she graduated from Cortland Junior Senior High School in 1985. While at Cortland she was a member of the National Honor Society and was selected to perform on clarinet in both the All-County and All-District bands and orchestras.

Leanne graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a major in English and a certification in elementary education. She received a master’s degree in reading from SUNY Cortland and also completed post-master’s courses in Reading Recovery at Syracuse University. She began her teaching career with the Oxford (NY) Academy and Central School District. In 1998, she continued her teaching career moving to the Dryden (NY) Central School District. Leanne was a reading teacher for 28 years at Freeville Elementary School. For many years she served as the Head Teacher for the school.

Leanne was an amazing reading teacher. She taught countless children the art of reading. She was recognized as CBS5’s Educator of Excellence for the month of May 2018 for her outstanding contributions to teaching. She was very involved with raising funds to support the Dryden softball program. She could always be found every summer working a chicken barbeque, conducting a can and bottle drive, or in the stands supporting all the teams. Leanne will always be remembered for the love, compassion, and joy that she carried throughout her life as a mother, wife, daughter, and teacher.

Leanne is survived by her parents, William and Georgia Lane of Homer, NY, her husband David Allen, son Braden and daughter Lindsey all of Freeville. She is also survived by a number of cousins in Missouri as well as her many friends and colleagues from Cortland, Oxford and Dryden who meant so much to her.

Calling hours for Leanne will be held on August 15 from noon to 2 pm at Perkins Funeral Home in Dryden, NY. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date. Following the calling hours, an informal gathering will be held at the Dryden Fire Department in Dryden, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to one of the following programs: Dryden H.A.N.D.S. Fund (Helping A Needy Dryden Student) or to the Solar Express Bookmobile. Mail all checks to Dryden Central District, P.O. Box 88, Dryden, NY 12053. Put Leanne Allen followed by the name of the program you want to make your memorial contribution to in the check memo.