Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Allen

(0) SignaturesMISSOULA – Longtime Missoula resident Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Allen, 83, passed away of natural causes Saturday, June 22, 2013, at St. Patrick Hospital.

Betty was born Sept. 29, 1929, to Cecil and Mary Williams in Two Dot. Betty moved to Missoula as a teenager in the 1940s, graduating from Missoula County High School in 1948.

Betty married Allen Allen on Feb. 4, 1949, in Missoula. They had three children, and later were divorced.

Betty never let the grass grow under her feet. She was employed by several former landmark local businesses for more than 30 years, including the Missoula Mercantile, State Drive-In Theatre, Turf (on West Main Street), Woolworths (an original tenant at Tempers Shopping Center), Treasure State Bowling Center (now Five Valleys Bowl) and Bud Lake's Truck Stop (on West Broadway), before retiring from the U.S. Forest Service in 1993. She also worked at the family-owned Big Sky Cyclery.

She was an active member and officer of the Missoula Senior Citizens Center for years, and belonged to the Welcoma Club, where she also held many officer positions for years at the social club.

Betty enjoyed knitting and crocheting hats for premature babies at Community Medical Center, counted cross-stitch projects, bowling, square dancing, playing cards and walking for exercise. Betty also was an avid sports fan. She particularly enjoyed watching baseball and football, and was a season ticket-holder at Missoula Osprey professional baseball games for a number of years, starting during the inaugural season in 1999.

Betty is survived by her three children, Patsy Manley of Kingsland, Texas, Larry G. (Kathy) Allen of Missoula and Carol (Tim) Brooker of Plains. She is survived by four grandchildren, Shelby (Frank) Humphreys, Ryan Allen, Anders (Meg) Brooker and John Templeton; and great-granddaughter, Rachael Smithers. Betty also is survived by three siblings, Midge (Bill) Fouts of Newport, Wash., Clancy Williams of Pablo and Sue (Jeff) Herman of Missoula, along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her twin brother, Cecil; brothers, Bill and Gordon; and her sister, Alice.

A memorial service will be held Friday, July 5, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Welcoma Club, 3100 Clark St. The Rev. Glen Moyer will officiate. The family invites folks to join them for coffee and cookies, and to share memories and stories of our "Betty Boop."

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Missoula Aging Services, 337 Stephens Ave., Missoula, MT 59801; Missoula Senior Citizens Center, 705 S. Higgins Ave., Missoula, MT 59801; or American Cancer Society, Great West Division Inc., 3550 Mullan Road, Suite 103, Missoula, MT 59808.

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