Lorinda Allen

Longtime Vinita resident Lorinda Mae (Cooyama) Allen, age 79, passed away with her children by her side on December 31, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A 1958 graduate of Vinita High School, Lorinda was born in Tuba City, Arizona.  She married Robert Dale Allen of Vinita on July 22, 1959, and to this union three children were born.  She was employed at Howard Johnson’s Glass House Restaurant, Shangri-La Resort, the Glass House Gift Shoppe, and as a successful Stanley Home Products representative.

Happy and fun-loving, Lorinda had an infectious laugh and warm personality that endeared her to everyone she met.  She enjoyed traveling and took her children and grandchildren to experience the Hopi Indian reservation and meet their Arizona relatives.  She created beautiful wedding and birthday cakes, and crocheted afghans for countless new babies, friends and family.  Her best-known talent for cooking was shared with her church family, who enjoyed her delicious chicken and noodles, pies and cookies.  All were welcome in Lorinda’s home, where she loved to be surrounded by family and friends at each holiday.

Lovingly known as “Memaw”, Lorinda is survived by her children Rodney Allen and wife Cindy, Shari Fenstermacher and husband John, and Rick Allen, all of Vinita; and sisters Gloria, Darlene and Dottie, in Arizona.  Grandchildren John Fenstermacher IV, Courtney Dawes, Charles Fenstermacher, and eight great-grandchildren are also blessed to have known and loved her.  Preceding her in death were her parents Matthew and Charlotte Cooyama, birth mother Shirley Phillips, husband Robert Dale Allen, grandsons Robert Fenstermacher and Jerry J. Allen, and brother Leroy Nanonka.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2020 at the Craig County Baptist Church of Vinita, with Pastor Dale Bigham officiating.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Vinita, OK. Services are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home, Vinita, OK. Condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com or our Luginbuel Facebook page.