Pauline Allen

1926 - 2025

Pauline Allen

August 26, 1926 - November 12, 2025

Pauline Clara ("Penny") Longworth Allen died Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Westminster Village where she resided for the past 15 years. She was 99 years, 2 months and 17 days old. Co-incidentally, November 12 was the last day on which pennies were minted in the US.

Mrs. Allen was born on August 26, 1926, in Taylorville, Ill., to Charles and Clara Beyers Longworth. They preceded her in death, as did her only sibling, Frances Longworth Dorward.

Mrs. Allen graduated from Pana (Ill.) High school and attended the University of Illinois. She married John Keith "Jack" Allen on June 2, 1947. They were married for 60 years and one month when he died on July 2, 2007. The Allens lived in Pana until 1965, when they moved to Bloomington. Mrs. Allen was employed as administrative assistant by Bloomington Public Schools and the District 87 Board of Education.

Mrs. Allen was a member of Holy Trinity Church and served for many years as historian of the Young At Heart Club, and was a member of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary, the Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Women's Auxiliary, and the McLean County Historical Society. Her hobbies were dancing, bowling, traveling, playing bridge and bingo, and reading. She had a special interest in the British royal family, especially the late Queen Elizabeth, sharing her birth and wedding years. She was an avid fan of the Illinois State, Illinois Wesleyan, and University of Illinois basketball teams. She had a particular affinity for and love of those who struggled with life's challenges.

In addition to her parents; sister; and husband; Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Veronica Clare Allen; her son-in-law, Lee Gleason; her grandson, the infant son of Lee and Paula Gleason (now Paula Risk); her niece, Alysia Dorward McCulloch; and her beloved companion, M. O. "Si" Simundson.

Survivors include her three children, Paula (James) Risk, John (Mary) Allen, and James (Mary) Allen; her grandchildren, Katherine (Erik) Maurer, Mary (Michael) Petullo, Alice Gleason (Brittany Brumbaugh), John Paul (Heidi McIvor-Allen) Allen, Christina (John) Swoboda, Jacob (Tabitha) Allen and Joseph Allen; and her great-grandchildren, Cameron, Logan, and Reed Maurer, Stella, Anthony, and Thomas Petullo, Piper, Parker, and Maverick Swoboda, and Lee McIvor-Allen; as well as many nieces; nephews; and grand-nieces; and grand-nephews.

Visitation will be held at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home, 1104 North Main Street, Bloomington, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 1 to 2 p.m., with services to follow. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pana, at a later date.

The family wishes to thank the employees and staff at Westminster Village and Martin Health Center for 15 years of devoted, loving care of Penny. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Westminster Village Employees Fund, 2025 East Lincoln Street, Bloomington, IL 61701, would be appreciated.

Online condolences and memories of Penny may be left for her family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.