The combination of beauty, good humor, intelligence, common sense, and knowing what the right thing to do will never come to me again, as it did in Glenda.

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

Glenda was my dancing partner and best friend since babyhood and I loved her. She was beautiful and very talented. Glenda could design and make anything. She was an artist and had such an imagination for ideas and colors. She could build stuff and set a stage and scenery for performances. She really could do it all……while being a wife and raising three girls. I envied her! Except at Easter when she had to sew three outfits plus her own. Marvin adored her and we had lots of good times and wonderful trips with Bill and Glenda over a span of 50 years. Glenda was very proud of Bill and her girls and little granddaughter. They were her life. I will miss her….but then I’ll conjure up her smiling face and think of all the great memories we shared.

If the size of your picture is larger than 1500×1500 pixels you will get a tiny error message and your post won’t show. Email Chris with your pictures or video if you are having trouble and she will load them for you. She will add pictures to the slide show too if you wish. If you don’t have her email send Dad an email. Andy

This is Pat and Jan Foster’s daughter. I am so sorry for your loss! You have made such a beautiful tribute to your wife and mother. Know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time.

Glenda and Bill raised 3 great daughters with whom we have had very many enjoyable moments! Glenda and Bill had us over for dinner plenty of times, always with family! always a good time! always good food! always good wine! always!!! Glenda and Bill came to our wedding, they cut some serious rug! Glenda and Bill hosted the baby shower for our daughter, her daughters have turned out great, ours is looking like she is headed in the right direction, I’m going with #GlendaGetsCredit Gathering with Allen clan when our daughter was ~6 months old. Non-stop shrieking, Glenda takes over to give us a chance for an enjoyable social moment. 30 minutes later, no change, still non-stop shrieking. Pronouncement was “she’s mad, just plain mad, nothing to do”. The expert spoke, guilt free continued enjoyable social moment despite the persistent shrieking, thank you!!! Great stuff Glenda!!! Who’s up for a Walla Walla road trip, say some nice spring weekend in May!!!

I am so thankful for the opportunity to know Glenda. She was so full of life and energy. I always loved seeing Glenda as a child whether we were in Dallas, Los Angeles, Anchorage, or as an adult in Seattle. She is truly one of the greats. I always felt at home near her. Lots of love, The Gilmore’s in Sugar Land, Texas

A few of our favorite Allen Family Photos over the years.

Mom asked Rick and I to get her a springer spaniel and train him. Mom drove us crazy asking for photos and videos daily. She finally could not stand it any longer and came to Alexandria, Virginia where we were living at the time to pick him up. This is a video of their first encounter. Andy and Rick

Glenda Meets Max

Pretty sure we know who this was sent to but because no names are mentioned we thought we would post and anyone wanting a birthday wish from Glenda can view it anytime! Andy

Click on the video link to see.

Happy Birthday

Glenda maintained her sense of humor even as Alzheimer’s began to manifest itself. This is a picture of Glenda on a cruise to Quebec City with Cam and Dad in 2007. Cam

This is our favorite picture of Glenda and Larry Furgeson.

Chris, Andy and Cam

All the caregivers at Odd Fellows asked us “is Glenda a model?”  when they saw the photos we had displayed. We answered, “no, but she could have been”.

Andy, Cam and Chris

Here is a photo of Glenda teaching her Grand daughter, Abigail, to crawl.

Glenda was the best Grandma, teaching her Granddaughter the important lessons of life.  Like how to blow a good raspberry, how to sick out your tongue, and advanced face washing by letting the dog lick it clean.

Glenda could bring joy to any person, no matter what their age.