Rita Joyce Pembroke Allen

1937 - 2021

RITA JOYCE PEMBROKE ALLEN Surrounded by her loving family, Rita Joyce Pembroke Allen, age 84, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Born on April 5, 1937, in Newbury, England, Rita became a resident of Chico, CA in 1966. Rita leaves behind her faith ful and loving husband, Charles, her son Malcolm, daughter Verity, and four grandchildren; Nigel, Angus, Deverie, and Dexster. The oldest of seven children, Rita also leaves behind three sisters and a brother, all still living in England. She is predeceased by two siblings and an infant son. What did Rita do with her life? She ran. She ran eleven marathons, she ran a successful relator career and property management company, and she ran her family with a cheerful, focused, and willful spirit. Rita was an involved parent and grandparent. Much of her free time was spent volunteering, including many years with the Chico Aqua Jet swim team, driving her children and others to swim meets and practices. She was also the head timer for many years. Rita was also an athlete. She loved running, and could be seen daily running through Bidwell Park with a huge smile on her face. If not running in Bidwell Park, Rita could be found on the tennis courts, or hiking with the Sierra Club. She loved adventure and faced it with a positive attitude and cheerful determination. Rita met Charles Allen while still living in England. They married on December 28, 1957. Together they started their personal adventure by moving to America the following summer. After making their way slowly across the country, they arrived in northern California in 1962, first settling in Davis and eventually moving to Chico when Charles was offered a professorship at Chico State. A life-long learner, Rita graduated from Chico State with a BA in Spanish and a Masters in Sociology. She was entranced by the Spanish culture, and took every opportunity to learn, visit, and communicate with native Spanish speakers. She would make trips to Santa Barbara to visit her daughter Verity, and would often interpret for Verity during parent-teacher conferences! Rita loved classical music and cultural events of all kinds. She and Charles were frequent visitors to the Friday night music shows in downtown Chico. A private family service will take place on December 29, 2021. The family will be inviting the community to celebrate Rita and her amazing life later in the spring of 2022. To honor Rita, and in lieu of flowers please send donations to Enloe Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.