Gloria Ann Allen (Benson)
March 14, 1937 to February 19, 2026

We are sad to announce that our beloved mother, widow, and friend passed away peacefully in her sleep just shy of her 89th birthday on February 19, 2026 in Fortuna. She was born at Farrar’s Maternity Home in Fortuna on March 14, 1937 to parents Jack and Sophie Benson, who are both deceased. She was active while attending Fortuna Elementary School, joining Campfire Girls holding offices of secretary, vice president and president.

At that time she began a pen pal relationship with a girl in England. They corresponded regularly and remained life-long friends. She finally met Shirley in 2016 on a trip with her daughter Julie to Oakham, England, which made the local paper with an interview showing pictures and an article about their unique pen-pal relationship over many decades.

Gloria attended Fortuna High School where she belonged to several clubs including Girls’ League, Girls’ Athletic Association, Semper Amice, Future Homemakers of America, and the Better Business Bureau. She was a life member of the California Scholarship Society. Gloria was married to Don Allen (deceased) for 67 years and they raised their children in the house that Don built on the street that he also built and bears the Allen name. They had three children, Julie Allen (Portland), Leslie Allen (Eureka), and Steven Allen (Keri, son Bode) in Cutten.

She received an achievement award in business from Bank of America in 1955 and worked at the California Division of Highways, now better known as Caltrans, as a personnel officer where she met life-long friends. When the kids were in school, she volunteered with the Cutten Elementary School PTA where she spearheaded hamburger day, getting the kids hamburgers delivered when the school had no cafeteria. The entire family rode horses in the Fortuna parade as part of the Fortuna Rodeo in 1974 and won a trophy for Best Family Group. Both Gloria and Don were San Francisco Giants and 49’ers fans and enjoyed going to games and watching them on TV.

Gloria had the spirit of a world traveler, loved to see new horizons and meet interesting people along the way. She also loved reading, dancing, painting, picnicking, camping, and especially going to “The City” every summer with her mother to visit relatives and friends in the Bay Area. Mom cherished her trips to Europe, as well as their travels around the country with friends after retirement in their motor home. She looked forward to spending several weeks each fall on the Oregon Coast.

She loved her family and her friends. She had regular lunch meetings with her girlfriends and liked to host events that allowed them to dress up, eat good food, drink some wine, and enjoy their company such as hosting dinners for the Academy Awards or New Year’s Eve.

She was a steadfast, fun and caring friend to so many people. There is a graveside service planned at the Catholic Cemetery at 1715 Rohnerville Road at 10 a.m. on March 11, 2026. Those wishing to come celebrate her life are welcome.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Gloria Ann Allen’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.