Margaret Viola May Allen

1910 -2013

The family sadly announces the peaceful passing of May Allen on December 3, 2013 in the city of her birth on July 3 1910. She was the eldest child of Fred and Maud Goodell and a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ballam, Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Goodell and Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Walker who arrived in Chilliwack in 1886, 1887 and 1905 respectively.

May was a teacher and her career began in 1930 in a one room school in Tintagel, BC. She taught in Flood, Ryder Lake, Yarrow, Sardis, Greendale and at Robertson schools. In 1958 she moved to Falkland BC and taught in Kamloops, Monte Lake, Falkland and Salmon Arm. She retired in 1975 and returned to Chilliwack to live closer to her family.

Following her retirement from teaching, she took on a new job as a volunteer. She belonged to many organizations and was always willing to take on any project. She knitted, crocheted, baked, quilted, delivered Meals on Wheels, gardened and communicated with family, friends, former colleagues and students. She spent many hours researching her family’s history and preserving the history of Chilliwack, In 1994, she felt honoured to be named Chilliwack’s Woman of the Year.

She was predeceased by her husband, W.A.(Slim) Allen in 1987; her sisters, Florence Nilsen and Jessie Short; her brother, Elmer Goodell and her son-in-law, Clark Baxter. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Baxter; granddaughter, Erin Baxter; her great grandchildren, Eliane and Riley; her sister in law Tina Goodell and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring 2014.

We would like to thank Dr. Hirst, the ER staff at CGH, the Ambulance Service personnel, the staff and residents at the Waverley Assisted Living Residence , all the family and friends who kept in contact with her and helped in so many ways allowing her to maintain her independence that meant so much to her. A special thank you to Dr. Glen, the ER nurses, Linda, Louise and Lynda for your support in her final hours and Mary at Henderson’s Funeral Home for your compassion and guidance .

Rest peacefully now G’ma.