Month: March 2016

In the 80’s, Buz and I had the pleasure of getting to know Glenda and Bill.  We took our very first cruise together and created many memories including making costumes from crepe paper to imitate our table companion, Ester, a stylish woman from New Jersey.  Glenda got a little seasick while we we’re sewing in our “spacious inside cabin”.  We also took several ski trips with Glenda and Bill and Chris.  We stayed in some curious places mostly picked out by me and most at the last minute.  Glenda was not an adventurous skier and more than once I led her down a slope a little too steep after assuring her it was the easiest one.  I never saw her angry, just a little smirk that told me she was not too happy.
Glenda worked with me at the paint store in Lafayette and was so great with color she was quite an asset.  She also kept me grounded as one employee, Tom, was on the weird side and she helped me see through his lies.  She was one smart cookie!
The last time I saw Glenda was in 2010 after Buz died.  I visited them in Bellevue and Glenda was determined to get rid of all the ground cover. She was beginning her long journey and Bill had done extensive research on Alzheimer’s .  He thought she would find one thing that was important to her and at that time it was gardening and Bill knew to let her do it her way.
What a great couple.  I will miss her and am grateful I had the opportunity to be her friend.
Fondly
Judy Honsaker

Lafayette Newcomers 50’s Party
1982

Glenda was my best friend throughout all of my life. One of

   my first memories is of us sitting in the cow pasture at our grandparents farm

   blowing dandelion fluff at each other and laughing. We were the same age and

   would scream with delight when one of us saw the other ones car drive up the

   lane to the farmhouse.

   We started dance lessons at 2…little Shirley Temples in the making. Our Mothers

   were very close and very talented. They sewed our beautiful dance costumes and

   encouraged us to practice by singing and dancing with us. They both sacrificed so

   much  so we could have these lessons with the best teacher in Dallas at the time.

   When Glenda was 9 or maybe 10 her Mom, Vera,…Aunt V to me, died of breast

   cancer changing her young life forever. Somehow even through all the years of

   bouncing around and living with various family members and even in an orphanage

   for a while she managed to keep her sense of self and was the same cousin I had

   always loved to be with.

   She lived at our grandparents farm for her last year or two of high school and

   soon adapted to that new normal. She fit right in and was very popular with the

  “country kids”, never copped a “city girl” attitude and learned some pretty neat

   stuff herself. She was the most beautiful girl for miles around!

   When she graduated and came back to Dallas to get a job  Wow! The city girl

   was back! She fit right in again. She bought beautiful clothes  had lots of friends

   and quite the social life. Her biggest worry was what new shade of nail polish

   to buy. Not Kidding!

   I could go on forever.

   I loved her,

  Tootie

  Oh, also she could dive and was a really good swimmer.

I will always remember Glenda with such fondness. From the first time I met her, I knew she was special. When I learned that she was going to come all the way from Texas for Larry’s and my wedding, I just couldn’t believe it. So far for just one day! But that was Glenda. She said she wouldn’t miss it for anything, and I know Larry was especially glad see her, and to have someone on His side of the aisle besides his Coast Guard buddies. Larry and I will both miss her very very much. Cherie Furgeson

Glenda, Glenda, Glenda….truly one of a kind, as I have never met another Glenda. Always beaming, whether it was popping into Chris’ office at the Bon Marche in the “olden days”, a rousing game of Bunko with the girls or a stroll thru the park – you always knew the time would be well spent. So, here’s to the entire Allen Family – thanks for sharing “Mom” with me!

Teeter McPherson