Obituary of Marjorie Joanne Allen

Marjorie Joanne Allen passed away on Sunday July 6th in Santa Cruz after a lengthy heroic battle to recover from a multiple stroke. She touched many lives with her caring and compassionate ways and always fought for what she believed in. Joanne was born in Sacramento, CA. and moved with her family to Soledad where she attended Gonzales High School, graduating in 1955. She was a Job's Daughters Honor Queen, and went on to Pasadena City College where she earned an AA degree, and R.N. (Registered Nurse). She began working immediately upon graduation as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. She also worked for the Daniel Freeman hospital, the Redondo Beach Medical Clinic, Torrance Memorial Hospital, and American National Red Cross. Joanne was also an LVN instructor teaching a wonderful class of minority women for the American Vocational School of Los Angeles. Joanne and her husband spent much of their life in Southern California around Santa Monica Bay before moving North to Los Osos, then to Pacific Grove, and for a brief time in Santa Cruz to be closer to their son's family before passing on. She loved gardening, and fell in love with fine antiques after retiring from nursing. Joanne is survived by her husband of 54 years Donn Allen; son Michael Allen; daughter in law Julie Allen; grandsons Dayne Allen, Brandon Allen, step grandson Jonathan Madamba; and brother James Snodgrass. She will be cremated and her ashes comingled with her husband's when he passes away. Joanne's entire wardrobe and blankets will be donated to the Walnut Avenue Women's Center of Santa Cruz whose main objective is to provide services that empower and assist women.