Gladys K. Allen

Gladys K. Allen
AUBURN -- Gladys K. Allen, of 42 Fern St., Auburn, formerly of Jay, died at her home on Friday, May 27, 2011. She was born in Wilton on Aug. 12, 1931, the daughter of Frank Knox and Gwendoline Burnham Knox Kneeland. She attended Jay schools and graduated from Wilton Academy in 1950 in the top ten of her class. She had participated in band, orchestra and chorus.
In 1950 she married Lawrence W. Flash Allen in Wilton. At age 16 she was baptized at the North Jay Methodist Church which she had attended as a child. In 1957 she was baptized at the Jay Baptist Church where she sang in the choir for many years, taught Sunday School, was a youth group leader and a secretary for the Jay Baptist Church Couples Club. She was also assistant organist and pianist.
She later attended the Eaton Memorial United Church in Livermore Falls where she sang in the choir for many years. She was born with a song in her heart as was her mother and her grandfather Edgar Burnham, who were both singers. She had sung at many weddings and in the Androscoggin Valley Choral Society.
Gladys was a trustee and secretary for the Jay Village Water District for 23 years. She was a ballot clerk for the Town of Jay for many years. She worked at the Lakeshore Restaurant in Livermore as a hostess and singer. She had been president of the Jay P.T.A. and chairman of the North Jay Extension Service. She was a 63 year member and past master of North Jay Grange #10, also Excelsior Pomona Grange #5 State and National Granges.
She had bowled in a league and one year bowled the highest game in her league. She had played a lot of bridge for many years and was a formidable foe.
She had cared for several family members when they were old and sick for nearly 30 years.
She loved to attend all of her children and grandchildren's
Gladys K. Allen
sporting events, musicals and theatre and T.V. appearances.
She was proud to be a ninth generation Mainer and that she had some Native American heritage. She loved her family and said she was 'the luckiest person in the world to be around all these wonderful people.'
She loved to travel and had been to 45 of the 50 states, also Canada and Mexico.
She is survived by four sons, Larry Flash Allen and wife Tina of Scarborough, Barry M. Allen and wife Dennise Whitley of Norway, David B. Allen and wife Bonnie of Mexico, and Christopher L. Allen and wife Betty of Auburn, with whom she made her home; four grandsons, Daemian Allen and wife the Rev. Tara Olsen-Allen of Bellingham, Wash., Micah Allen and wife Christina of Lebanon, Shannon Allen and fiance Heidi Leigh of Kennebunkport, and David Allen Jr. of Mexico, a granddaughter, Sarah K. Allen of Portland, a step-granddaughter, Sarah Myles Raymond of Rumford., a step-grandson, Mark Whitley and family of So. Hampton, N.H., a step-granddaughter, Bailey Holloway of Biddeford, a step-grandson, Sam Whitley and family of Hope; a half-sister, Geneva Knox Breakfield; several nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law, Pauline Duguay of Livermore and Florida, and Janet Diaz of Turner and Florida, and a brother- in-law, Lt. Col. Harold Grant of Florida and Virginia Beach, Va. She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence W. Flash Allen in 2008; a half-brother, Melvin Dill; and a step-granddaughter, Lisa Whitley.
A memorial service will be held at the Eaton Memorial Methodist Church, 28 Church St., in Livermore Falls, at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 4.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to her memory may make donations in her name to:
The Greater Androscoggin
Humane Society
55 Strawberry Lane
Lewiston Maine, 04240