Obituary: Mary Louise (Allen) Peña
Mary Louise (Allen) Peña, aged 90, passed away on September 27, 2024 in Lansing, Michigan.
Born on April 14, 1934, in Parkers Corners, Michigan to Charles and Mary (Cord) Allen in her Grandpa George and Grandma Etta (Fear) Allen’s house behind their General Store (where her father was also born). Mary Lou’s maternal grandparents, Asel & Nina Stowe, resided just down the road. Her parents were hard working farmers, taking over Grandpa George’s farm when he could no longer continue. In the summer of 1972, during a trip to Alaska with Grandpa Charlie’s cousin, Harold Heinrich, who was piloting the plane, they crashed in Yukon Territory ending their lives.
Mary Lou graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1952 where her love of music led her to become a member of the choir for four years. She also enjoyed basketball, playing her freshman year, and was also a Class Officer her sophomore and junior years. In 1953, she attended Mercy School of Nursing in Detroit. On December 19, 1953, she married Guadalupe (Joe) Peña at the original Trinity Methodist Church in Parkers Corners. Together they raised eight children and ran a successful sod farm as well as landscaping and trucking businesses. Mom also volunteered for several years as a reading aide at Emma Smith Elementary School in Stockbridge. Her life was rich, filled by making memories with her many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Later in life she became afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease requiring her to move into a memory care home where she ultimately died surrounded by her beloved family.
Mary Lou is survived by her children and their families:
Greg (Corey) Peña of Stockbridge – grandchildren Yolanda (Alvan Allison) Draffen; Mandi (Darren) Look; Charlie Peña; great grandchildren Maddy and Hannah Draffen.
Mike (Kristi) Peña of DeWitt – grandchildren Andrea (Scott) Holmes; Erin (Charlie) Collins; Eric Peña; Shaun (Jason) Zelski; Emily (Nate) Greeley; great grandchildren Nyles and Brayden Holmes; Amelia Collins; Madison, Owen and Gracen Zelski; Ellie and Riley Greeley.
Joe Peña of Stockbridge – grandchildren Joe (Kelly) Peña; Jayme (Haley) Peña; great grandchildren Joe, Jack and Jake Peña.
Doug Peña of Stockbridge – grandchildren Castiel (Saylor) Hendrickson; Joshua Peña.
Lori (Jim) Sheets of Haslett – grandchild Eric (Stacy) Sheets; great grandchildren Drew and Blake.
Patti (Craig) Floros of Crossville, TN and beloved granddog Kali.
Debbi Peña of Stockbridge – grandchildren Staci (Matt Stanford) Peña; Todd Boyce; great grandchild Chase Kunzelman.
She is survived by her younger sister, Shirley McClenithan of Ann Arbor; three sisters-in-laws; two brothers-in-laws and many nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband Joe; daughter Kathi; sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Virgil Dennis, and brother George Allen.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, 1:00 p.m. at Plainfield United Methodist Church, 17845 M-36, Stockbridge, MI. Mom was our family rock. She unequivocally loved and was loved by her family and friends. You are flying free now Mama. We love you…Vaya Con Dios.
