But now the home is empty.
Following the death of her 58-year-old husband in July, Mrs Allison has closed Kohanui.
His death had left a hole which meant the place would never feel the same, she said.
The couple had been married for nearly 40 years.
Since 1996, the couple's work at the former forestry camp had transformed the lives of boys who were fighting against society, their families and teachers.
Mrs Allison said her husband had been a hero to the boys, who often needed a role model.
"They respected him, there was no doubt. Sonny was a young man at heart and he had a wicked sense of humour. He related to the boys by using their kind of humour.
"But he was also very humble. He didn't take praise easily . . . He had this presence about him which commanded respect."
A 16-year-old Dunedin boy, who spent 11 months at Kohanui (which translates as big gift) about two years ago, said the couple changed his life.
"I didn't like it at first, as all the boys didn't. But I got to know Sonny and Rob a bit better and found out how they worked.
"They changed my life. I never used to have anything to do, so I got into a lot of trouble."
He is back at school and hopes to join the navy.
The Allisons first cared for teenage boys in 1986 when they were managing Thornicroft Station, a Land Corp sheep and cattle farm at Lake Mahinerangi.
In 1996, they moved to Kohanui, at Berwick, 35km from Dunedin, with their three daughters to set up a home for at-risk teenage boys with behavioural and schooling issues.
The couple looked after up to eight boys at a time.
Many had a history of abusive behaviour plus alcohol and drug problems.
Mrs Allison said the neighbours were initially not keen on having troubled teens nearby, but when they saw how hard the boys worked, they realised the value of the couple's programme.
In 1998, the forestry workers' hall was turned into a classroom and a teacher was employed three days a week from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
The Allisons returned to their farming roots, buying sheep, pigs and cows.
The boys learnt how to fence, mill wood and package it to sell as firewood; how to cook, clean and do the dishes.
They also learnt about car mechanics, wood carving and building.
Mrs Allison said the longest one boy stayed was for three years and the shortest about 20 minutes.
"He decided he wasn't going to be staying here, so he left and ran down the drive before the social worker could even finish her cup of tea," Mrs Allison said.
It was not all smooth sailing.
Boys would "escape" by hitching rides to Dunedin; stealing bikes or cars, or swimming across a nearby river.
There were also numerous run-ins with police.
But the offending boys would eventually return to Kohanui, and they would be punished by having to go to bed early or were grounded. "We were from the old school when it came to discipline.
The boys knew that no meant no," she said.
Mrs Allison said the boys who started with them in the 1980s were now in their 30s and were their friends.
At Sonny's funeral, a group of about 12 men got up to speak.
One, who stayed with the couple in 1986, was too overcome with emotion to speak.
Mrs Allison said she could not carry on with the home. as, without Sonny, the place was lacking something.
"Our hearts are not really in it. The dynamics have changed. It was always teeming with life and people. It is not the same without Sonny."
CYF Dunedin site manager Peter Guest said the Allisons' commitment to the care of the boys never wavered.
"Sonny Allison was an inspiration to our staff and the young people he worked with.
"His tireless enthusiasm and dedication to helping some of our most vulnerable young people will be sorely missed."
