Virginia L. Allen

Virginia “Ginny” Dobek (Allen) was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 10, 1924, to Andrew and Teresa Dobek. She had an older brother Andrew J. Dobek, “AJ,” that she remained close to her entire life, until his passing in 2015.

At a young age, her family moved to Tucson, Arizona where they operated a small roadhouse and fishing lake. Her father, “Andy” Dobek was a Navy veteran, a merchant seamen, and eventually constable for Pima County in Arizona.

At the beginning of WW2, Virginia headed north to work for the military in Fairbanks, Alaska. Later during the war, she moved south to Seattle and later to San Francisco. She loved San Francisco, but hated the cold weather.

Ginny settled in Catalina Island where her family had started an albacore fishing business, as well as working for the Avalon Police Department. She worked as a teletype operator; a trade she learned working in the military. Virginia held several jobs including, working for the Santa Catalina Island Company, K-Big Radio, and as a dispatcher for the LA County Sheriffs of Avalon.

In 1955, she married Harry A.(Bud) Allen, a third generation Islander. Together, they owned and operated the Avalon Terminal Newsstand at the foot of the Steamer Pier for many years. Ginny had two sons, David A. Allen and Gerald (Jerry) Allen. Both David and her husband, Bud preceded her in death. She leaves behind her son, Jerry Allen, daughter-in-law Ellen Wainwright-Allen, grandson David A. Allen and granddaughters, Cameron Ramirez and Andee Allen. She also has (8) great grand kids, Kawika, Kaimana, Kapena, Keahi Allen along with Adrian, Elyssa, Eleana, and Aaron, Ramirez. She also leaves behind her Dobek nieces, Kathy Dobek and Linda Pruett along with their extended families.

At 101 years old, Virginia was the matriarch of the Allen/Dobek family, and will forever be held in our hearts. Rest in paradise sweet Gigi.