Pauline Allison

Pauline Allison, beloved wife and mother, passed away at home August 20, 2013, at age 98.
She was born Pauline Amelia Currier in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1915.  In 1919, she moved with her family to southern California where her father was a cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.  After graduating from Los Angeles High School, she studied at a local business college.  In 1940 Pauline married Carl Allison, working with him in the Treesweet Juice Company offices in Santa Ana and Phoenix.  During WWII, she worked for Barr Lumber when they were constructing false war ships--empty hulls used to enlarge the appearance of Allied naval forces.  She and Carl owned in Anaheim a small grocery store which she managed while he served in the U.S. Army.  They had 2 daughters, Kathy and Patti.
In 1959 the Allison family bought an orange grove and moved to Porterville where they built a home on the Teapot Dome grove. Pauline was an enthusiastic volunteer in local youth organizations including Girl Scouts, 4-H, and Job's Daughters.  She was an officer of Eastern Star and a volunteer Pink Lady at Sierra View Hospital.  A long-time member of Porterville First Baptist Church, she served as a deaconess and the chair of their annual rummage sale until her early 90's.
Pauline and Carl loved to travel in their small RV throughout the US, including Alaska, and parts of Canada.  She celebrated her 90th birthday by obtaining her first passport for a cruise through the Panama Canal.  She was known for her "spunk," and "can-do" attitude which kept her active well into her 90's.
Her husband Carl Allison survived her; Pauline died two days before their 73rd anniversary. She is also survived by daughters Kathy Sizer of Tustin and Patti Spencer of Davis, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  The family is grateful for the loving care of a wonderful team of home care-givers who have enabled the couple to continue to live at home for the past four years.
A celebration of her life will be held at Myers Chapel in late September.  Because macular degeneration limited her eye sight since age 80, she enjoyed "reading" talking books. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Fresno Talking Books Library Trust Fund, 770 N. San Pablo, Fresno, 93728.