Virginia Mae Allen

September 07, 1930 – May 24, 2015

AURORA, Colorado-Virginia Mae Allen, from Monticello, Utah passed away Sunday, May 24, 2015 in Parker, Colorado. Virginia is known significantly for her creation, organization, and publishing of the Ham Family’s record of the descendants of the children of Alonzo Ham and Elizabeth (Greenlee) Ham. She has also researched the Genealogy of the Ham Family back into the 1600’s, and the Luther Family back into the Era of MARTIN LUTHER the Reformer. Virginia, the daughter of John W. Luther and Lucinda R. Ham grew up in Florence Colorado with her older sibling, Bettie L. Luther and her younger sibling Robert M. Chambers, (who was later adopted by Lucinda’s husband, Matthew M. Press), and a large number of the family Cousins. Her later years of growing up after the family moved to Denver Colorado during the war years involved her high school completion and college which led to her obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Psychology. Her comment about that time was about how easy it was for her to walk into various businesses that knew her and literally, on the spot, fit right in and help out and earn a paycheck.

Back in Utah, she met and married George S. Burdis, the son of Greek Immigrants, and they had Twins Michael Stephan Burdis and George Matthew Burdis. Both twins Michael and Matthew, born on May 07th 1951, contracted the Polio Virus shortly after birth and were treated with the medicine developed by Dr. Salk. At about 18 months, Michael, who spent his last days in an Iron Lung, passed away, leaving Matthew as Virginia’s only child. It is interesting to note that the names Matthew and Michael were present in both Virginia’s and George’s families. In Virginia’s family Lucinda was married to Matthew Michael Press and in George’s family his two Uncles were Matthew and Michael.

Virginia’s divorce from George and her subsequent marriage and divorce from Walter A. Randell brought her to the point in her life when she met the love of her life in Charles W. Allen or Bill as he liked to be known. Bill was an Army Corp of Engineers World War 2 veteran who was born and raised in Nebraska and then worked in Denver. Bill Allen stepped up to the task of extending his love for Virginia also to Matthew and became a significant and loving influence throughout their years together. During those years Bill and Virginia worked at managing various facilities together, marketing a new Self-Watering Vase, and eventually, in partnership with Virginia’s Mother, Lucinda, owning and operating three Nail Boutiques in the Denver Area.

After Bill’s death in 1979, Virginia spent time in Sacramento California to be close to Bill’s Sister and Brother in law, Margaret and Ivan Fisher. During this time she continued her education at the University of California at Berkley by obtaining a degree in Horticulture and the cloning of orchids, a personal love of hers. Coming back to Denver, Virginia moved in with her mother, Lucinda, and Sister, Bettie in Englewood, where she lived for some time until after the passing of her mother in 2004. In 2005 Virginia moved in with her son, G. Matt Burdis and remained there until she suffered a stroke in June of 2014. Since her stroke Virginia has been recovering in the Life Care Center of Aurora and finally in the Crown Crest of Parker care facility.

Virginia is survived by her Brother, Robert Matthew & Odell Press, her Son, G. Matt Burdis, her Grandchildren, Michelle Burdis (with Shawn), Tyler & Gretchen Burdis, Jacob & Christie Burdis, a loved Step-Family Leslie & John Guerue, Great Grandchildren: Kelbie, Alexander, Camden (Michelle &Shawn); Grayson (Tyler & Gretchen); Dallin, Kaylee, Amber (Jacob & Christie); Danikah & Madison (Leslie & John).

Immediately following the funeral service, the burial will take place at the Olinger Highland Cemetery off of I-25 and 104th Avenue at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia’s name can be made to G. Matt Burdis, 2770 S. Pagosa St., Aurora Colorado, 80013.