Cecile Bernice Allen

April 17, 1924 - August 9, 2014

Cecile Bernice Allen, a former longtime resident of Bridgeport, passed away at age 90 on August 9th in Vancouver Washington at Ray Hickey Hospice House. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert "Bun" Allen, and she is survived by her brother Charles McInnes (Else), her sons James "Dan" Allen (Kim) and Curtis C Allen, and grandson Matthew Allen. Cecile was born on April 17th 1924 to Charles and Emily McInnes in Great Falls Montana. The family soon moved to Ferndale Washington where she attended grammar school and high school. After high school, Cecile trained in nursing with the goal of treating wounded soldiers from the front lines of WWII, but graduated nursing school just after the war ended. She would continue to practice nursing at the Brewster hospital, and later on the coast, until shortly after her son Dan began school in 1965. In the early 1960’s, Cecile and Bun purchased and ran the Chief Joseph movie theater in Bridgeport. After closing the theater, Cecile and her family moved to Western Washington. Bun worked as a truck driver for a time, but with Cecile's help eventually opened the lawn and garden business “Allen's Tractors” in Kent. In the late 70's, Cecile and Bun sold the business, retired, and moved back to Bridgeport. In the early 90's, Cecile and Bun added to the town's historic charm by moving and restoring the old 8-sided Gallagher House that still stands at the end of 12th Street below the Bridgeport High School track. After Bun passed away in 2000, Cecile sold the Gallagher house and moved to Wenatchee where she lived independently until medical issues necessitated that she move in with Dan and his family in Vancouver Washington. Cecile will be remembered for her beautiful hand-made quilts and her love of gardening. She will be missed for her generous and caring nature. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, September 14th at 11:00 AM at the Bridgeport Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or the American Lung Association.