Shirley was born October 8, 1935 to Audie and Mildred Hembree in Kennewick, WA. She joined two older brothers, Harold and Richard. She graduated from West Valley High School, in Spokane in 1954 and married Harry H Allen that same year, after he returned home from the Korean War. Shirley and Harry had three children, Lonnie, Laura and Michael, all born in Spokane.
After moving to Helena in 1960, the family joined the First Presbyterian Church. Shirley also enjoyed belonging to Daughters of the Nile, where she was active in several groups including the Patrol, drummers and most recently playing in the band. When first moving to Helena, her immediate neighbors (Minnie Mae Michaelson and Kay Thompson) taught her to play bridge, which became a lifelong passion.
Shirley was a homemaker with a love of volunteering. Any call for meals, cookies, selling tickets and promoting charities, she was there, happy to help. Cooking and baking were two of her favorite pastimes. Many folks enjoyed her delicious cookies, cakes and breads, often times requesting one of her specialties for a special occasion.
One of the most important parts of Shirley’s life was her grandchildren. Many a cookie was baked, books read and road trips enjoyed with Grandma Shirley.
Shirley was predeceased by husband Harry (1984), son Lonnie (2009) and son-in-law Terry Engelson (2004). She is survived by daughter Laura (Jean) Riendeau, Davenport, WA, son Mike Allen, Helena, grandsons Kyle Engelson of Seattle, Dalton Allen, of Portland, Dylan (Tristin) Allen of Phnom Penh Cambodia, Drew Allen of Helena, granddaughter Kari (Donji) Young of Tacoma and two great grandchildren, Hayden and Henley Young.
Mom passed from this life on September 20, 2018 after suffering a heart attack at her home.
Services will be at the First Presbyterian Church, 535 N Ewing St, in Helena, Thursday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. with fellowship immediately following the service. Memorials can be made in Shirley’s name to the First Presbyterian Church, 535 N Ewing St, Helena, MT 59601 or the Lewis and Clark Humane society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Shirley.
Peggy Fine says
Mike and family my thoughts are with you. My mom knew her from Presbyterian church.
DORIS ROMANISKO says
Mike, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Dee Barfknecht says
Mike & Family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss……your Mom was such a wonderful lady. I’m thinking about you and my heart is with you. Hugs….
Paul Martello says
Mike & Family,
Sorry for your loss. Your mom was a great lady and full of fun. Shirley will be missed . My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep your moms memories close to your heart.
Mark says
Mike and family
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, she blessed my life.
Mark and Sheri Weber
Gary and Teressa Whitney says
Mike and Laura and Family,
Very sorry to hear the news of Shirley’s passing. So many wonderful visits with your mom at the Allen house. Our thoughts are with you. She will be missed by all.
Diane Boley says
To the family of Shirley Allen,
I am so sorry to hear about Shirley! I so enjoyed her friendship in Daughters of the Nile! I am going to miss her laughter and bright smile! Prayers to you all! “Keep a drumming in Heaven, Shirley!”
Nan LeFebvre says
Mike,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nan
Janice Sampson Orsello says
Mike & family – so sorry to learn about your mom’s passing. She had a hearty laugh & a joyous spirit. Shirley and you will be in our thoughts. Hugs, Janice & Bill
Craig Stewart says
R.I.P.Shirley Allen!! You will be missed very much !!
Jo and Paul Bryson says
Mike,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your Mom.
Lifting up you and your family in prayers of comfort and support. God Bless
Laura Fix says
So saddened to hear this news. What a wonderful lady. My thoughts and prayers are with her Family. God’s speed Shirley, you were a beautiful gift on this earth…
Ellie (Mayala) Osborne says
Sorry to hear about your mother, Mike. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
Mark Copenhaver says
Mike, Laura, I’m Greatly saddened by your loss; everyone’s loss in fact. She will be greatly missed. I am grateful that I was able to see her in 2016 when we had a small “Harry Kari” get together at her house. And pleased I to get in at least one more “Shirley you Jest” jabs!
My sincere sympathies .
tim stearns says
Mike, Laura et.al.
We will all miss Shirley. She was a great character and good fun. We always enjoyed commiserating with Shirley as we did with Harry. I am glad we got together at our reunion. A toast of the scotch to Shirley and Harry is in order.
Cha bhithidh a leithid ami riamh. (Her equal will never be among us again.)
Y’all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Janet (Eck) Bloom says
Mike and Laura and Family- Shirley was a great woman with a great spirit and a golden heart! I am so sorry for your loss! Sending prayers for comfort at this time of loss. Love to you all.
Wendy Biegler says
Dear Mike, Dalton, Dylan and Drew and Family,
We are all thinking of you during this difficult time! Shirley was such a spitfire and will truly be missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. May God bless and comfort you during your time of loss. Hugs to you all.
Wendy, Jade, Payton, Cooper and Greyson
Deb Eisenmann says
So sorry for your loss. What a blessing to be assured by our Father that we will see our loved ones again. “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous…”. Acts 24:15
Katie Spiroff, Mark Spiroff, Doug & Linda Graham says
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Scott Kottas says
Mike Sorry for losing your mom, She very kind and fun to be with..god bless
Kristi & Lee Paulsen says
Mike and family,
We were so sorry to hear about your mom. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lee & Kristi Paulsen
Julie & Jim DeMars says
Mike and family,
So very sorry to hear that your beautiful mom has gone on to heaven. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Lori Carruthers says
Mike, Laura and families,
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We had a lot of fun years with cruises, road trips and playing our drums. We lost connection when I moved from Helen but I think of her quite often. May God bless all of you.
Lori Carruthers
Medlin Family says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I hope all the cherished memories will provide a measure of comfort. May the God of Comfort also give you strength. (Revelation 21:3,4 & John 11).
Jackie and George Lloyd says
Mike and family, sorry for your loss of your Mom. She was a great lady.
Tom Glodosky says
Mike
Just heard of your mom’s passing. My sincere sympathy to you and your family.