MAGDALEN MARGARET ALLEN

Everyone who ever met Magadalen Allen knew that they were in the presence of someone special, someone extraordinary. Revered by her family as a one-of-a-kind spirit, she touched everyone she encountered, even people she didn't know. Loving, lovable, kind-hearted, easy going, open-minded, liberal, conservative, nonjudgmental, and beautiful: all of these words describe Magdalen. A beloved friend, daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and even great-great-grand- mother, she was 101 when she passed away in her sleep at home in Rancho Cucamonga, California, on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. She lived with her daughter Margaret and son-in-law Jamie Gray. Magdalen was born in Pana, Illinois, on May 23, 1909, and often spoke fondly of her loving parents Jenny Maude Magner and John William Bernhard. At six months old, she came west with her family to California. As a young girl, she enjoyed the simple life, growing up in the first suburbs of Los Angeles. Other relatives had moved west earlier, so she took pleasure in being surrounded by a loving extended family and many friends. She spent many summers at Lake Hughes, rode the red car to the beaches of Southern California, and learned the latest dance crazes, like the Charleston, with her girlfriends at the popular dance socials of the time. While attending Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, she met and fell in love with Gilbert Allen. After graduating from high school in 1928, Magdalen and Gilbert were married in 1930 at Wilshire United Methodist Church. Soon after, the couple bought their first home, in Beverly Hills, and she became a preschool teacher at Beverly Vista Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed working at the church and was very active there. She was a member of the PEO, an international women's organization that works primarily on providing educational opportunities for female students. Her spirituality was a central part of her life. Gilbert and Magdalen had three children, Gilbert, Robert, and Margaret, who were the center of her world. As they grew up and eventually went off to college, they introduced her to another great love: sports. Through her children she became an avid USC Trojans fan, supporting her team throughout her entire life. She was also a supporter of the Los Angeles Dodgers and loved her radio programs. Her life transitioned into high gear when she moved to Huntington Beach , and later Claremont, San Bernardino, Chino, Chino Hills, Mentone, and finally Rancho Cucamonga. Her most cherished position was taking care of children, all children, but especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so she moved about Southern California as needed. She went wherever she was called to watch over and take care of her kids - or anyone's kids for that matter. She was also a tireless caregiver to elderly friends and family in need. Magdalen said this was why God put her on the earth: to care for her precious family and friends. Some will say she was also here to spread joy and happiness and a sense of real goodness. And that she did. Preceding Magdalen in death were her husband Gilbert, her sister Dorothy, her son Robert, and Dodie Linn, her lifelong friend of 95 years. In addition to her children Gilbert and Margaret, she is survived by 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The family will be celebrating the life of Magdalen Allen at a simple private gathering on October 16. It will be a true celebration of a life well lived. And well loved. "...I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses."