Birdiejean Allen

An Alaskan for more than 70 years, Birdiejean “Birdie” Allen, 79, died April 9, 2008, at the Palmer Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home in Palmer.

A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at the home of Mike and Diana Garner in Wasilla on June 21. For information, please contact Mike Garner at (907) 376-7339, John Garner at (206) 619-9546) or e-mail lilsu@alaska.net.

Allen was born Jan. 18, 1929, in Tacoma, Wash. She was raised in Ketchikan by her parents, Charles and Geneva Rice. She graduated from Ketchikan High School and later worked in local canneries and laundries to support her three young children.

She moved around Alaska during her life, living in Fairbanks, Cape Yakataga, Palmer, Anchorage, Soldotna, Juneau and Wasilla. She also got to exercise her famous green thumb and love of animals when she lived on a farm in Centralia, Wash., for several years in the 1980s. But Alaska was always home, and to home she returned. She was a homemaker and famous for her baking, a skill she used to brighten the day of her family and many workers during her time on the North Slope. A skilled fisherman, she was never out-fished by any man at any time.

There was never a more gentle or generous soul than Birdie Allen (unless you were playing cribbage with her). Her acts of kindness and love will be impossible to duplicate, her family said. Thank you, kind lady, they broke the mold when you were born. The family’s appreciation for the care and concern given her while in their care is greatly noted, for which they have generously given and demonstrated during the last stage of her life.

Donations in Allen’s name are suggested to Mat-Su Regional Homecare and Hospice and the Palmer Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home.

She leaves behind her husband of 30 years, William Allen; sister Martha and her husband, Charles; children Robert (Judy), John (Liz) and Mike (Diana); step-children Judy (Bob) Dippold, Leigh Paige Cathey, Shelly Glasson and Percy Allen; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous other friends and relatives.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory.