Erlinda Diane Allen was born in Los Angeles, California on January 4th, 1942. She was the eldest child of Manuel and Edelma Luna and had 2 siblings, David and Lydia Luna. As a child, she attended Resurrection Elementary School and Sacred Heart of Mary High School and later Cal State Los Angeles where she majored in Home Economics.
As a young woman, she was quite daring and at one time was learning to fly glider airplanes which she found exhilarating. She worked for The Grocery Bulletin, a Los Angeles based advertising company; a job she loved and took great pride in. It was here that she met and fell in love with her co-worker Francis Allen. After a year of dating, they got married in Alhambra, California and began their lives. In 1978, they moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma where they raised their 3 children, Jennifer, John and Christina Allen. They were married for 19 years until Francis’ death in 1997.
Over the years, Diane worked as a substitute teacher which she quite enjoyed. She also spent her time engaged in volunteer work for the community. Diane was a devout Roman Catholic who attended St. Benedict’s Church, where as a volunteer she taught CCD classes to junior high aged students Among the things that Diane loved were: crocheting and knitting, entertaining and setting a beautiful table, family gatherings, her best friend Marge, spending time on the coast, frequenting movie theaters while enjoying a bucket of buttered popcorn and a hot dog, visiting her family in California, and her dog Fooshi. And because she was a California girl, her favorite music was that of The Beach Boys.
Diane is survived by her son, John Allen, her son in law and daughter, Isaiah and Christina Terneus, and 4 grandchildren, Nate, Aden, Eli and Jaxon Terneus and her sister Lydia Luna.
Mass and burial will be held at St. Gregory’s Abbey and Cemetery on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 10:30 am. Reception following burial at Mabee-Gerrer Museum.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in her name to Faith 7 Activity Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
The family would like to thank Cornerstone Specialty Hospital in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for their care and kindness. Moore’s Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com
