Obituary of Bernice Marie Allen

No visitation Bernice Marie Allen May 11, 1910 – August 8, 2007 Bernice Marie Allen was born May 11, 1910 in Spokane, Washington to Olga and Charles Johnston. She grew up in Great Falls, Montana, graduated from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing and attended the University of Minnesota studying Public Health and Nursing. As a Registered Nurse for the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs she accompanied doctors to deliver babies on reservations. Bernice, known as “B” to family and friends was quite adventurous and independent as a young woman. She started driving the family tractor at age 10 and never looked back. She loved having a car and bought a car when she got her first job in 1930. She worked as a visiting nurse in Denver and once accompanied a doctor into Northern Montana on horseback to pack out a hiker with a broken leg. In 1938, she and two girlfriends drove her car from Toppenish, Washington to Mexico City. Her future husband said, “Well it’s been nice knowing you,” thinking he would never see her again. She married George Merritt Allen on February 3, 1940 in Vancouver, Washington. He proposed with the ring nestled near a piece of cake for dessert. They had three children and published the Toppenish Review newspaperfor 30 years. Bernice worked as a school nurse, counseled military inductees who failed the physical exam during the Vietnam War and counseled disabled hospital residents who were moved to group homes when then Governor Reagan closed California State Hospitals. They retired to Oakland, California. Bernice and Merritt were married for 40 years. In her later years Bernice loved to walk, browse antique shops, look after her neighbors, collect children’s books and repair books for the local library. She is preceded in death by her husband Merritt Allen, her son Michael Merritt Allen and her sister Jane Matteucci. She will be missed by her daughters Mitzie Phegley (Jim) of Olympia, Washington and Cynthia Sheridan of Stockton California, two grandchildren Mike Phegley (Jennifer) of Burbank, California and Connie Phegley (Kenny Pugh) of Olympia, Washington and five great-grandchildren, Rosemarie, Theo, Felix, Sara and Jude. A private graveside service will be held Wednesday August 15th at 11am at Masonic Memorial Park 455 North Street S.E., Tumwater, Washington. The family especially wishes to thank the Hampton Care Facility for their kindness and wonderful treatment of Bernice in the final years of her life. In memory of her life donations may be sent to South Sound Alzheimer’s Council 3430 Pacific Ave. SE A-6, PMB 159, Olympia, Washington 98501 or make a donation to your local library.