Virginia May Allen, 95, of Atascadero, passed away on Nov. 7, 2019, after a three-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Virginia was born on May 2, 1924, to Narvel and Dollie Hambelton in Stillwater, Okla.
Virginia came to California as a young child and attended Lynwood Junior High and Compton Junior College before marrying George Stecher, in 1941 at the age of 17. She and George had two children, James and David and settled in California after George served in the armed forces overseas.
Virginia waited until her oldest child was in seventh grade to pursue further education and received her bachelor’s degree at Long Beach State and her master’s degree in 1973 in Food Sciences at Pepperdine College. She then spent most of her remaining years as Director of Food Service programs in Atascadero and Clovis, and then was employed by the state of California as an auditor of school foodservice programs all over California.
Virginia was an accomplished seamstress, and in her later years produced fine quilts and wall hangings, many of which she donated to fundraisers in Atascadero. Virginia was a member and office in Atascadero Elks Lodge No. 2733, where she gained the distinction of being lucky for winning raffles, drawings, and prizes. Also, she was active in Quota International of Atascadero, Eastern Star, Atascadero United Methodist Church, and as a volunteer at Twin Cities Community Hospital.
Virginia is survived by her son, Jim Stecher and his wife, Janet of Atascadero; granddaughter, Terri Stecher and her husband, Matt Smith or Arlington, Virginia; great-grandsons, Jack and Finn Stechersmith of Arlington, Virginia; brother Gene; niece, Gay Thomas; nephew, Craig Hambelton, and her step-children from her second marriage.
Virginia was predeceased by her brothers Melvin and PJ Hambelton, son, David Stecher, grandson, Matthew Stecher, first husband, George Stecher, second husband, Grant Allen, and her third husband, Henry Holm.
Funeral services will be held at Atascadero United Methodist Church on Nov. 30 at 4 p.m., light reception to follow. She will be buried at Atascadero Cemetery. Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Atascadero Greyhound Foundation, PO Box 3120, Atascadero, CA 93423.
