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Evelyn Lorraine Allen
True native daughter
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Evelyn Lorraine Allen, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend to many, and supporter of the community of Manteca, died June 22, 2010.  Born on June 9, 1908, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Ethel Thompson, she lived 102 years and 11 days.  

Mrs. Allen is survived by her loving son Robert Evans Allen of Mountain Ranch, California, and her granddaughter Harriet Brooks Blymiller and husband Bill, of Tampa, Florida.  In addition, Mrs. Allen had two great grandchildren, Claire Blymiller of Spring Hill, Florida, and Michael H. Blymiller, currently serving in the U.S. Air Force in Okinawa, and two great-great grandsons Evan W.G. and Owen J. Jablonski of Spring Hill, Florida.

Mrs. Allen will be remembered as a true “native daughter” whose paternal great-grandparents sailed around the Horn to settle in what became San Francisco.  Both sets of grandparents moved to Stockton, where her mother, father, Mrs. Allen herself, and her son Robert were born.  

Mrs. Allen grew up on a ranch in the San Joaquin Delta, where her lifelong love of gourmet cooking emerged early.  She would cook when her parents went into town (Stockton), and bury the result in the yard if it didn’t turn out well.  As a very young woman, Mrs. Allen competed in equestrian dressage events.  Later she attended Stockton Business College and worked in San Francisco.  For a while, she helped manage the Grand Theater in Tracy.  But she spent the majority of her professional years as a jeweler in Manteca, opening Allen Jewelry on December 10, 1945.  Through her business, she helped many commemorate special occasions in their lives.  And, each year Allen Jewelry sponsored a candidate for Miss Manteca.  At the age of 80, Mrs. Allen sold Allen Jewelry and then was able to indulge her love of family, friends, travel, and community service more fully.

Mrs. Allen was active in many community organizations, including Soroptimist International, Eastern Star (serving on the Board of the Rainbow Girls), and the Federated Women’s Club.  She volunteered as an aide at Doctors Hospital and helped in the founding of the Manteca Historical Society.  She was an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and volunteered in the Nearly New Shop, operated by St. Paul’s.

Mrs. Allen will be remembered for her grace and elegance, joy in living, generosity to all, and service to the community.

Mrs. Allen’s arrangements are being handled by P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home of Manteca. There will be a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, California 95204.

An online guest book is available for condolences  at www.plfryandson.com.  The Allen family may be contacted at P.O. Box 801, Mountain Ranch, CA 95246, or by e-mail at boballen@mtranchca.net    
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, June 25, 2010