Arlene Jeanette (Leonard) TAYLOR ALLEN

LEONARD, MECHEM, ALLEN, TAYLOR, BERNAL, GRESHAM, HOVER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/17/2011 at 14:22:04

July 5, 1922 --- August 14, 2011

San Jose, CA -- Arlene Jeanette Allen passed away on August 14, 2011 in San Jose, CA, surrounded by her family. She was born July 5, 1922 in Belmond, Iowa, to Erma Meacham and Arthur Leonard. She was preceded in death by her sisters Lova, Cleona, Icle and brother Art. She grew up on a farm, near extended family, including her Grandfather who fought in the Civil War. She graduated Belmond High School in 1940 and went on to get her teaching credential and teach in a one room country school house. She came to Oakland where she worked many jobs, including childcare for mother's working to support the war effort, Mare Island Naval Ship Yard Kahn's Dept Store. She married Carl Taylor in 1950 and had two children, Art and Linda. She was an accomplished seamstress, having a dressmaking business at home. In 1960 the family moved to Saratoga, CA. She and Carl divorced in 1963 and she worked at O'Connor Hospital as an assistant to the Dietician. She later married Don Allen and they had a loving relationship for 44 years until his death 6 weeks ago. Don and Arlene loved camping and water skiing at Lake Berryessa. They spent their retirement years traveling the country, spending a lot of time in Arizona in the winter. Arlene was also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a direct descendant of Miles Standish. The highlight of Arlene's life was her family; daughter Linda, son-in-law John Bernal, son Art Taylor, daughter-in-law Shelley, grandsons Joe Gresham, Brandon Brett Taylor, Ryan Hover, step grandsons John Jeff Bernal. There was nothing she loved more than being a mother and a grandmother. Her services are being held at Oak Hill Funeral Home, 300 Curtner Avenue, S.J., Ca 95125, August 20th at 3:30 p.m. Donations can be made to "Daughters of the American Revolution" or the "Red Cross".

San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times - CA
August 17, 2011