Rebecca Lynn (Becky) Allen
2/20/1960-12/29/2017
Our beloved Becky passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 57. Her devoted family, countless friends, professional colleagues, and grateful patients are devastated by her loss. Becky exuded extraordinary energy, compassion and joy and had a love of life like no other.
Becky was born in San Mateo to devoted parents Lloyd and Pat Allen. She was a 1978 graduate of Aragon High School. During that time she developed life-long friendships and discovered her passion for nursing, working as a volunteer candy striper at Mills Hospital. She graduated with a degree in psychology from San Francisco State in 1982. After working in technology for several years she returned to her passion for nursing, and earned her MSN in 1992, also at SFSU. She began her nursing career at Kaiser San Francisco in the pediatric department before transferring to the Pediatric Oncology Clinic, where she was well known for her compassion and excellence, loving referred to as “Becky Bandaid”. She was asked to help open the Kaiser Santa Clara Radiation Oncology Clinic in 2006 and she has been part of the team since. She was devoted to her patients and their families and was well respected by her colleagues. Becky was an active member of BAPON (Bay Area Pediatric Oncology Nurses) and CNA (California Nursing Association). Becky was a passionate supporter and volunteer for countless cancer related causes, including week long sessions as a camp nurse at Camp Okizu in northern California, a camp for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings. She was also a regular on the marathon and walk-a-thon circuits, raising money for Leukemia research.
Becky was a world traveler, visiting over 30 countries on many continents. Most recently she had returned from Morocco with dear friends, riding camels, glamping in the desert and savoring the majestic sights, food and people. Her love of adventure and other cultures took her to Myanmar, Thailand, Croatia, the Galapagos, Africa, Italy and Spain, to name a few, as well as annual trips to the British Virgin Islands, sailing to many islands in the Caribbean, as well as weekends with family in Calistoga. Whether she was snorkeling off the coast of St. Barts, or rafting down the Colorado River, Becky had a joie de vivre that was contagious and inspirational. Becky also had a passion for gourmet food and wine, which she perfected in newly renovated kitchen and with two special gourmet cooking clubs.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Lloyd and Pat Allen, grandparents William and Anna Allen and Jim and Wilma Bledsoe. She is survived by her adoring sister Lisa Horton, her sweet brother in law Dave Horton, her precious nephews, Russell and Matthew Horton, of whom she was so proud, all of San Mateo. She also leaves behind her beloved aunt Shirley Bucher of Orinda, cousins Jim Bucher (Alina) of San Francisco, Erik Bucher of Chico, Mark Holloman (Jean) of Tennessee, and Gregg Holloman (Linda) of South Dakota. Numerous Texas relatives, including cousin Missy Bledsoe of Austin and Aunt Sue Lott of Lubbock.
Becky will be missed and forever remembered by so many loving family members, long-time friends, professional colleagues, patients and neighbors in her community.
A celebration of life is planned for March. For more information, please contact BeckyCelebrationOfLife@Sonic.net
Arrangements by Crosby-N.Gray & Co. of Burlingame.