Mary Eleanore "El" Allen

Mar 24, 1919 -

Nov 4, 2020

It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Eleanore "El" Allen (O'Brien) announce her peaceful passing on Nov. 4, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by family.

El was born on March 24, 1919, in Chicago, Ill., to parents Mary "Marge" Frayer and James O'Brien. Her early life was spent in Chicago and Northern Michigan. In Michigan, she lived with her mother and sister, Margorie, and spent many hours helping in her mother's restaurant and sharpening her cooking skills.

She stayed in the Midwest until she wed Delbert S. Allen in 1944. Through his career in the Air Force, they traveled widely, eventually settling in Alaska with their son Brandon. Once here, they divided their time between homes in Anchorage and Cooper Landing. More days than can be counted were spent in their log cabin overlooking the river surrounded by family, friends and fish - lots of fish.

El was extremely active in the Catholic church, specifically at St. Patrick's Parish. So much so, she continued to volunteer there well into her 90s. Singing was another large part of El's life. She was a founding member of the Sweet Adelines, Alaska Chapter and performed and traveled with them for many years. The enjoyment she found entertaining others was matched only by the friendships she made throughout her long involvement with the choir.

She was an outstanding cribbage player and shared her love of cards with her large family. Cooking was a great joy for her, and her bread pudding and pasties will be missed nearly as much as she will be by those who called her Gaga.

El is survived by her seven grandchildren and their spouses; 16 great-grandchildren and their spouses; and five great-great-grandchildren. As she often said, she got a great return on her investment from only having one child.

Services are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., immediately following a Rosary at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at St. Patrick's Parrish in Anchorage. El will then be laid to rest alongside her husband at the Fort Richardson Cemetery with an open house reception taking place from 2:30-4:30 p.m., at St. Patrick's Reception Hall following interment.

The family hopes for messages, memories and photos to be shared at elallenmemories@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catholic Social Services.