ALLEN, Mary Magdalene

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 03/05/2010 Mary Magdalene Pace Allen, 96, died Feb. 28, 2010, from natural causes. Maggie was born to James Byrum Pace and Adeline Savage Sept. 9, 1913, in Woodruff. All of her great-grandparents participated in the Mormon Exodus from Nauvoo, Ill., to Salt Lake City, Utah. Called to serve, they later pioneered northern Arizona. She was one of 10 children. She graduated from Snowflake High School at 16 and went to college in Flagstaff to pursue a career in teaching. Her first assignment was in a one-room schoolhouse in Woodruff. In her career, she taught every grade. She continued in the profession for 37 years teaching through the Great Depression and World War II in several communities in Arizona before settling in the Mesa School District. She taught about 1,200 students. After retiring from teaching, she moved to St. Johns, where she enjoyed community service and many friends and family there. She met her husband, Gove L. Allen of Mesa, while they were both attending college to become educators. They were married in the Mesa LDS Temple in 1933. They had four children, Gove L. Jr., Gary B., Mary JaNeanne and Loren P. They spent summers with their children in Greeley, Colo., while obtaining masters degrees. Gove Sr. died in 1951. She was known for her sharp intellect, vivid memory, strong sense of family, strong work ethic, integrity and creativity. She was especially talented in writing and sewing. She blessed many lives with her exceptional creative talents. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life and a dedicated church worker including, teaching, Stake Junior Sunday School Coordinator, YW Presidency. Maggie was residing with her daughter JaNeanne in Salt Lake City for the past four years. While there, she produced nearly 2,000 quilt tops for the LDS Humanitarian Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gove L. Allen, son Gary Allen (Pam), grandsons Jeremy and Peter Allen, siblings Wilson, Beth Elledge, Glen, Ruth Bowers, Marion Fields, Paul, Lincoln and Jimmy. She is survived by sister Gwendolyn Udall (Keith); sister-in-laws Mary A. Hardison, Henrietta Allen and Lois P. Allen; children Gove L. Allen Jr. (Mary), JaNeanne A. Webster (Jim), Loren Pace Allen (Sandy). Maggie leaves behind 24 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren and 24 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who she knew and loved. A memorial service/viewing was held at Larkin Mortuary, Wednesday, March 3, in the mortuary chapel at 260 South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 6, at 10 a.m. in the old 2nd Ward building at 15 W. lst Ave. in Mesa. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Internment, Mesa City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.