Cecelia "Ceil" Allen

MISSOULA – Cecelia I. Allen, of Missoula, passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday, March 15, 2013, at the Village Nursing Home. Born Sept. 8, 1921, to Carl and Amanda Turnquist. Her parents meet on the boat ride from Sweden to Ellis Island.

After homesteading a stake of land in western North Dakota; they had four kids, Cecelia being the second oldest. Growing up during the Depression and having few amenities, she had little use for material possessions and made for a thrifty and tough as nails individual. As a teenager in the 1930s she was a wonderful swing dancer.

In 1943 she married Sylvester E. "Al" Allen of Stevensville. They settled down in Missoula after the war to raise a family. After receiving her nurse's license, she went to work at Hillside Manor from the time it opened to until 2003 retiring from nursing at the age of 82. She was a very hard worker, never calling off sick to work. She loved her job and the patients loved her. She also had the admiration and respect of her coworkers.

Cecelia had a fondness for animals, especially strays. She was a voracious reader, and she loved old country music and westerns. Her favorite meal was Double Front Chicken. Cecelia was a true angel of the Lord. She served with selfless compassion and care for her patients all those years at Hillside Manor. She is in a better place now.

She was preceded in death by her husband, S.E. Allen; her brother and sisters, Carl, Alma and Julia Turnquist; her oldest son Larry E. Allen and her grandson Benjamin Allen. Survivors include her daughter, Celeste and John Granato of Portland, Ore.; her son, Garry and Sandra Allen; daughters Vicki and Cathi Allen and son Brian Allen; grandchildren, Lee Allen, RN, Shad Allen, Dr. Scott Allen, Maj. James Allen, Michael Allen, Kimberly and Kyle Mittlestandt, Tim Allen, Cory Allen and several great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service for the family is planned.

Read Cecelia Allen's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.