Elaine J. Allen

Elaine J. Allen age 90 of Bremerton was a longtime business owner and very active in the community. She was born June 18, 1917 in Coulee City, WA. to Arthur & Nellie (Rusho) Jones. Elaine graduated from Pullman High School in 1935 and attended Washington State University. In 1937 she married Irving Allen and they opened their flower shop, Forget-Me-Not Florist. They were one more family business in the bustling downtown Bremerton. A new bride from Pullman, Elaine spent her days catering to special occasions downtown and in Port Orchard, where they had a shop from 1948 until 1989. During WW 11, downtown was never quiet. Due to shift changes at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, there were just as many people on the street at midnight as there were during the day. "Downtown's where everybody met," Elaine would say. "It was a great going concern." Meanwhile, Elaine accepted an invitation to join the first Soroptimist Club, formed by women to meet the needs of other women, she remained a charter member of the organization, which just celebrated its 63rd anniversary, she was also a member of the Lady Elks, Lady Lions, Bremerton United Methodist Church, Bremerton Community Theater and the Bremerton Symphony. Her husband Irving passed away in 1978. Despite the advent of the Kitsap Mall in Central Kitsap and the decline of downtown, Irving and Elaine held on to their store until retiring in 1992. Elaine still worked for Paul's Flower shop, She was thrilled to Bremerton regaining its former glory, however different it from when she was a young women. "I'm glad to see it happen," she said of Bremerton's revitalization, "I feel it'll be a success, but they need good ferry service. Thats the key." She was contacted by a grade school friend from Herb Hammond three years ago. They were married in August of 2005 and had three happy years together. She's also survived by her son James (Joan) Allen of Bremerton, grandson James (Stefanie) Allen, Jr. and grandaughter Josephine (Robbie) Hankins and 2 great-grandchildren Sydney and Spencer Allen. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday at the Lewis Funeral Chapel. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 1150 Marine Dr. with private Entombment at Sunrise Terrace Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Cemetery.