Allegra graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Lamba Delta, and Pi Lamba Theta Honoraries. She served as Vice President of Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Music Fraternity and was a Countess in the 1967 Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball. Married on June 30, 1972, she and her husband Chuck were a true love story and musical team for the ages. Allegra and Chuck worked together to start his music production company, PANDA Productions, and they also performed together as the featured musical talent with Chuck on piano and Allegra playing electric bass on Lincoln channel 10/11’s Morning Show with Leta Powell Drake. She played for countless prestigious events such as the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball, Miss Nebraska Pageant, the Omaha Addys Awards, Metro Omaha Medical Society’s M.E.S.S. Club musical parody showcase, numerous musical theater productions, studio recordings, as well as private and corporate engagements both locally and beyond with such notables as Quincy Jones, Patti Austin, David Foster, and Nathan East, and Victor Lewis, just to name a few. In 2006, she was awarded the honorary distinction of Admiral of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska.
For 30 years, Allegra taught vocal music, first at Brownell Elementary and then at Meadow Lane Elementary in Lincoln. Allegra’s exemplary teaching was evident in every school concert she produced with meticulous attention to preparedness, performance, and presentation in showcasing all of her students. Her Chorus students were often requested to perform the National Anthem at events at the State Capitol and at Lincoln Saltdogs baseball games. She was a two-time recipient of the Time Warner Cable national teachers award for which she was recognized in Washington, D.C. In addition, she taught private lessons on piano and electric bass out of her home for many years. Above all, she loved and was most proud of her beautiful family: her daughter Ashley Penington Tarter (Andre’), Lincoln; son Logan (Amy) Penington, Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren Aurora & Ariel Tarter and Jameson Penington; brother Malcolm Smith, Ainsworth, NE. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles (Chuck), and sister Terry Trego.
Funeral service: Monday, July 21st, 11:30 AM First Free Church, 3280 S. 84th Street in Lincoln, NE Interment Tuesday, July 22nd, 3:00 PM at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens, North Platte, NE.
Visitation one hour prior to service time at First Free Church. Please join the family for lunch at the church immediately following the service.
Memorials to Alzheimer’s Association.