Gloria Gardner Allen, 86, peacefully returned to her heavenly parents on October 1st 2021. Near the close of her mortal existence, she was lovingly cared for by her daughter and son-in-law in St. George and the caretakers from Zion’s Way. Even during Gloria’s painful struggles with bladder cancer, she remembered and connected to her family. During long nights when she could not sleep, she would name and pray for her children, 30 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, and others. All she knew were precious loved ones to her.
Gloria was Ivy Lillian Roberts and Blane Gardner’s second child, born on February 7, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was blessed with 8 siblings: Lawrence, Marjorie, Peggy, Lillian Grace, Ivy Rebecca, James “Jimmy”, Joseph Samuel “Sam” and Nancy Cammille. As the oldest daughter, she worked diligently to care for her younger siblings by cleaning, mending clothes, and preparing them for Sunday worship.
She spent the first 12 years of her life living in Salt Lake City before moving with her family to the mountain above Salem, UT. She started working at a young age, taking care of a family’s children before and after school, often walking and then taking the bus to work.
Gloria was introduced to her husband John Butler Allen through a friend and they became pen pals while he was in the army stationed in Alaska. He caught her heart through his writing and poems and even sent her a lock of his red hair. She was always fond of the time he caught everyone’s attention by walking through the Barbason sewing factory where she worked in his uniform and then he took her out to dinner. They married on June 24, 1954 in the Manti Temple.
She and John were called on a service mission in 1964 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to build a chapel near Alliance, Ohio. There were over 22 missionaries, and she felt a strong connection to them and love for the service they were able to provide.
Gloria raised her family in Kanab, UT and worked as a lunch lady for 25 years and also worked as the secretary for John’s Allen’s Auto Sales business. Gloria lived a full life of welcoming others into her home. She helped raise John’s brothers and many grandchildren. Her heart was so big that if she knew you, then she loved you. She was devoted to her faith and throughout her life she served as a Primary leader for every age class as well as Relief Society President and compassionate service coordinator. Her service as a temple officiator was a huge highlight in her life.
Gloria is preceded in death by her husband John Butler Allen, her son Boyd Ray, and son-in-law Terry Owens, and is survived by her children Gordon Jay and Cherrie Allen, Robert Gregory “Greg” and Debbie Allen, Jeffrey B and Julie Allen, Kirk Roy and Roxanne Allen, Leesa Marie Owens, & Melanie Ruth and Jeff Collins
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 9th in the Kanab 7th Ward, 604 South, 100 East with a viewing from 9:30-1045 am prior to the funeral. Burial in the Kanab Cemetery under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary.