Leslie “Lola” Dee Allen

Leslie Allen passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009 of complications following surgery. She was 63 years old. Leslie was born on Sept. 4, 1945 in Seattle, Wash., the daughter of Norma and Robert “Bud” Sanders. She was raised on Mercer Island and graduated from Mercer Island High School in 1963. Leslie married her husband, Ralph Allen, on Aug. 27, 1966. They welcomed daughter Kristen in 1971 and Leslie began her career as mother. In 1973, daughter Traci was born. She raised her family in Bellevue before moving to Issaquah. Survivors include husband Ralph, of Issaquah; daughter, Kristen Allen-Bentsen and husband, Chad, of Issaquah; daughter, Traci Allen-Kelleher and husband, Nick, of Bellevue; sister, Julie Sanders Kamins, of Sammamish; brother, Steve Sanders, of La Conner; aunt, Shirley Personeus, of Yakima; and five grandchildren: Emma, Matt and Lucy Bentsen, and Zack and Mason Kelleher. A celebration of Leslie’s life will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 at Pickering Barn in Issaquah at 1730 10th Avenue Northwest, Issaquah, Wash., 98027. In lieu of donations, the family asks that you honor Lola by spending your money and time to build relationships with those in your life that matter most. Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.