Elizabeth J. Allen

Elizabeth Jane Allen September 11, 1981-March 4, 2018 Elizabeth Jane Allen was born in Bend, Oregon September 11, 1981, and left this world March 4, 2018 in Portland, Oregon due to kidney failure. Liz to her friends, Beezer to her oldest friends and Boo to her mom and dad, Elizabeth left her mark on everyone who knew her. The Allens lived in Spray from 1981-1985 where Elizabeth loved riding horses and enjoyed all the small Wheeler County town had to offer. It was in Spray that her compassion for others began when she saw starving Ethiopian children on the news, and emptied her piggy bank to help. In 1985 the family moved to Ione where Elizabeth quickly made friends and the Allen household was full of kids’ laughter. The summer was always the highlight of Liz’s year when the swimming pool was open. She spent every day at the pool, with the lifeguard giving her a ride home after the pool closed each night. At the age of 12 Liz was once again saddened by the evening news as a rough winter was forecast for Portland and the homeless would be in need of help. So she organized the first of five trips to the city with winter supplies, enlisting the help of many of her friends. Liz’s travels took her to Scotland where she spent her junior year of high school, Eugene where she attended Lane Community College, and several years in Columbia, Missouri. A Sober Way Home in Prescott, Arizona had a profound effect on Liz’s life, where she got help, and helped so many others through their struggles. Living in Portland for the last several years, she continued to reach out to anyone who needed help. Liz was an avid reader who always had a two or three books going at the same time. She lived by her favorite quote from Harry Potter: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” In addition to countless friends, Elizabeth leaves behind her parents, Dick and Jannie of Ione, her brother, Stephen of Richmond, Virginia and his dear wife, Renee, and the light of Liz’s life, her niece, Saadi. She was preceded in death by her beloved dog, Opal. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ione Community Pool c/o Ione Community School, Box 167, Ione, Oregon 97843. Donations will be put toward training swim lesson instructors, free swimming lessons for all, and keeping the pool open for PE classes an extra week in the fall and spring. The family has made a five year commitment to this plan. Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner is in care of arrangements.

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