Merrily Jean Allen, 71, died Wednesday October 22, 2008, at her home in Cle Elum, WA, surrounded by her loving family. She succumbed after a 15 month battle with brain cancer.

Ms. Allen was born July 13, 1937, in Seattle, WA to Ernest R. Robertson and Irene Marie Marchette. Merrily was raised in Renton, WA. From age 8 she spent every summer at the family’s summer home on Luana Beach, Vashon Island, WA until she, her husband and their children moved to Vashon Island. She graduated from Renton High School in 1955. She was on the honor roll, active in many school clubs and she played the bass tuba in the marching band. During her high school years she was active in Job’s Daughters and was Honored Queen of Renton Bethel #45. She was also active in Camp Fire Girls and Camp Sealth on Vashon Island.

Merrily attended University of Washington, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, affiliated with Virginia Mason Hospital.

Merrily Jean Robertson and Erik David Allen were married on September 12, 1958. Merrily and her husband Dave built a unique A-Frame home on acreage overlooking Tramp Harbor on Vashon Island where they raised their 4 children.

While residing on Vashon Island she was an active member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church, an early member of Vashon Allied Arts, and a volunteer firefighter with the Vashon Maury Island Fire Department.

Merrily along with Mary Clark Lee and Jackie Robinnet, helped established the Vashon-Maury Island Health Services Center with a grant from Washington/Alaska Regional Medical Program and local donations to start the community clinic. They were the first of six Nurse Practitioners trained in WA. They provided medical services around the clock at the clinic which opened in July 1972. After many years with V-M Island Health Center she became an Associate Professor of Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University. However she never left her roots on Vashon and continued to work with Dr. Charles Weispfenning at his office, seeing patients on the weekends.

Merrily went on to earn her Masters degree in Nursing from U of W and her Doctorate of Nursing Science (DNSc) at The University of San Diego. While living in San Diego, she served on the faculty of the School of Nursing at Point Loma Nazarene University. One of many honors was the recipient of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 1992 State Awards for Excellence for Washington State. While teaching at PLU, she continued in part-time clinical practice, including at the PLU Wellness Clinic thru most of 2007.

In 1998 she moved to Cle Elum,WA and built a home along the Teanaway River where she was close to her family. She was a member of Pisgah Presbyterian Church of Roslyn, WA serving on the board as an Elder. She was also involved in the Christian Young Life organization. Merrily was a loyal fan of Cle Elum youth athletics, from “T Ball” and “Grid Kids” to CHS Warrior Football, Basketball, and Soccer. She loved skiing in the winter and horseback riding in the summer, along with lazy days by the river with her cats and dogs. Merrily’s travels included trips to England, Scotland and Greece, the Bahamas and many trips to California to visit children and grandchildren.

Merrily was a wonderful mother, counselor and friend to her children, who she raised as a single parent after their father died in 1978. She will continue to inspire, counsel and guide them even from afar. Merrily was always optimistic about life and had a wonderful sense of humor that would always come out even in dire circumstances. She had the ability to make people relax and feel comfortable around her. Merrily was dearly loved by all of her family.

Merrily is survived by her son Erik Allen, his wife Elizabeth and their children David, Alissa, Krista, and Jace all of Cle Elum, WA; daughter Merry Coons, her husband Kevin and their son Ben of San Diego CA; son Neal Allen, his wife Kaelee, their children Laela, Elaenee, and new grandson Kaenen all of San Diego, CA; daughter Angela Brown, her husband Curtis and their sons Clyde and Christopher of Mercer Island, WA.; one brother and sister-in-law, Ernie and Pat Robertson of Orting, WA ; one sister and brother-in-law, Suzanne and Andy Kostenko of Grassy Butte, ND. She is also survived by many friends and many many nieces and nephews, including Robin Wyrwitzke of Astoria, OR; Annette Kostenko of Cle Elum,WA and Frank Kostenko of Coronado Island, CA.

Merrily was preceded in death by her husband David, her mother, father and sister Joy Lorraine Robertson.

Memorial services to be held Friday November 14, 2008 at 7pm at the Mt. Pisquah Presbyterian Church in Cle Elum, WA., and Saturday November 15, 2008 at 1pm at the Vashon Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow both services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Vashon or Mt. Pisquah Presbyterian Church for youth activities or the charity of your choice.

Services entrusted to Island Funeral Service. Please visit our online guest book

at www.islandfuneral.com

(Paid obituary)