Allene Holt

Allene D. Holt died on Tuesday, Sept. 24th, 2013. She was born on July 20,1913 in Hartford, Connecticut. From the very early age of 4, she worked in show business. During the 1920's & 30's she was a dancer and later became a straight "man" for Abbott and Costello. In 1942, she married her husband Donald W. Holt. They worked and traveled throughout the country running concessions for professional sports including football, horsing racing, and Jai-lai. She came to Cocoa Beach in 1956. It was at this time that she and her husband opened Ramon's restaurant. Ramon's was known as the "Toast of the Coast" and Allene was considered the "hostess of the mostess". This was where many famous dignitaries, politicians, newscasters, and the "seven" original astronauts dined and were entertained for the next 20 years. She also opened a second restaurant the Rainbow Room on top of the glass bank in the mid 1960's. After selling Ramon's in 1975 she went to Brevard Community College and graduated with honors in Library Science. She then volunteered and later became the reference librarian for Cocoa Beach Public library for much of the 1980's. One of her greatest gifts was being there for others. It was best exemplified by her volunteer work for the Joe Realino Memorial Fund, established in 1969 to help and assist the many workers in the hospitality industry in Brevard County who were injured, ill, and unable to work. The fund helps these individuals pay rent, utilities, and groceries during their time of need. She also enjoyed volunteering her services at Temple Beth Shalom. She was a real go-getter who loved life. Those who knew her well would refer to her as " a real class act." When she wasn't working or volunteering her services she enjoyed quiet times with her family and her cats. Music, Reading, and traveling were some of her passions. Allene was predeceased by her husband Donald Holt and daughter Vinnie Gralla. She was survived by her grandson David Gralla (Pat) and granddaughter Nancy Mason (Charlie) along with three great¬granddaughters Daisey, Dinah, and Sana. Private services were held by family to celebrate her "100 years" of life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joe Realino Memorial Fund or the Central Brevard Humane Society.