Margaret Elizabeth Gafford Allen, age 91

      Margaret Elizabeth Gafford Allen died June 9. She was born in April 27, 1923 to Lena Mae and William Foster Gafford of Luverne, AL. She had three brothers: Omer, Howard and Jim; and a sister, Faye.

      After graduating high school and business college, Margaret moved to Washington D.C. in 1942 then Denver, CO in approximately 1952. In 1955 she moved to Seattle. Through mutual friends, she met the love of her life, Robert Mercer Allen, whom she married in September 1956. They had two children: Joan C. and Larry M. Allen; and raised them on Bainbridge Island.

      She started working as a supervisor for Seattle Police Department Criminal Records Unit, where she worked with and became best friends for the rest of her life with her “girls”, retiring in 1986. She and Bob moved to lower Queen Anne Hill in Seattle in 1985.

      After Bob died in 1989, Margaret spent much of her time having fun with her “girls.” Margaret loved to laugh, dance, read, garden, go to movies, plays, musicals, loved to cook and travel.

      A memorial & celebration of her life will be held at Merrill Gardens, 800 4th Ave. N., Seattle, in the E. Building lobby (or rooftop patio if weather permits) on June 30 from 2 to 4 p.m.

      Donations in Lieu of Flowers may be made to Arthritis Foundation PNW Chapter: www.arthritis.org/washington.