On February 9th a tree will be planted at the Lakeside River Park Conservancy's River Park Trail in honor of Jerry Allen, long time Lakeside resident, who died November 10, 2007 of pancreatic cancer.
  Jerry's family, including her husband, Dan Allen, and her daughters, Kelli Palmer and Karin Allen, decided that the planting would be the best way to commemorate the life of a woman who had been a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and an active and devoted member of the Lakeside community.
  Jerry Allen was born Jerry Lee Marquis on September 15, 1930, in Santa Maria, California. She graduated from Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles and received an Associate of Arts degree from College of Pacific in Stockton. After additional study at Los Angeles State College she worked for MGM studios in Culver City and later for American Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport. It was there she met Dan Allen. They were married April 15, 1956. They lived for several years in Manhattan Beach and Torrance before moving to Lakeside. Dan worked on major highway construction projects in the area and Jerry took a job at San Diego State. She made many friends among co-workers and faculty members while employed at the student book store.
  When she retired she was able to spend more time with her family. She had especially close relationships with her grandson Andrew and granddaughter Stephanie as they were growing up. Later came a great grandson, Dane, and a great granddaughter, Lundin.
  Jerry was also able to indulge her growing interest in Lakeside history. She joined the Lakeside Historical Society and became an active member serving as a dedicated docent in the Lakeside Museum and helping at various functions organized by the society. She also became interested in painting and began taking art classes. Her favorite subjects were floral and she executed many lovely water colors featuring plants and flowers.
  Another activity dear to her heart was her garden. With Dan's help she embarked on an ambitious program to turn the wild hillside behind their home into a country garden. Terraces were cut, stone walkways installed, bird feeders hung and decorative plants installed. It always was a work in progress. Jerry loved to sit on her patio contemplating the next phase or newest project to add to the garden
  The tree to be planted in her memory will be a place where her family can gather to remember her. And the plaque on the tree will make future residents of Lakeside aware of her many contributions to their community.