Scotts Valley

Lillian Alene Barnes Gordon was born at home in Orange County, CA, to Lexie and John Barnes on September 26, 1923, and was the second of five children. On September 3, 2024, Alene went to be with Jesus. Alene's childhood years were spent in Yorba Linda where she attended Kindergarten through 8th grades at Yorba Linda Elementary. During those years Alene enjoyed socials, roller skating and participating in plays (written and produced by her Sunday School class) at the Methodist church. Alene was the only one chosen from her graduating 8th grade class for the American Legion Citizenship award.

Alene’s high school years were split between Tennessee and Southern California. She had extended family in both areas. Her family moved to Huntington Beach (an area then called Ocean View) where her dad helped to build and begin the only church in Ocean View at that time. Alene’s sophomore through senior years were at Huntington Beach High School. As an athlete, Alene took part in whatever sports were in season, including tennis, basketball and being a pom-pom girl for the football team. Alene also sang with the high school choir and participated in competitions with other schools. She made many friends through these activities and through GAA, a sports leadership organization and Tri-Hi-Y sorority. Alene began college at Fullerton Junior College with ambitions to be a nurse. When the bombing of Pearl Harbor took place, her family relocated to Tennessee and Alene continued her pre-nursing education at Tennessee Tech.

Alene moved back to California in 1942 for her older sister Marie's wedding and enrolled in nursing school at LA General. There she received her cap and stripes. During that time she met Karl Gordon while playing tennis at Pacific Bible College (today Azusa Pacific University). Alene stopped short of graduating from nursing school when Karl volunteered to serve his country in WW2. She wanted to marry Karl before he went to war. They married on June 4, 1944 and honeymooned at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center. Their time at Mount Hermon inspired dreams of raising a family in the Santa Cruz area. Following their honeymoon, Alene wasn’t able to see Karl again for 21/2 years while he was serving in the Pacific.

When Karl returned from war, he and Alene became the happy parents of Malcolm (1947), Calvin (1949) and Helen (1955). Due to Karl’s work as a California Highway Patrol Officer, the family lived in several Bay Area locations. In 1958 the couple and their children moved to Scotts Valley and built their dream home which they affectionately named “Dunroven.” Alene worked in food service at various local schools, including Scotts Valley Elementary School, UCSC/Crown College and San Lorenzo Valley Schools. The family attended Twin Lakes Baptist Church and were involved in various activities and ministries.

After their retirement, Karl and Alene continued to enjoy their location in Scotts Valley, along with trips to visit their children and grandchildren. In 2002, with Karl’s passing, Alene moved to Spring Lakes Mobile Home Park, a short distance from the original family home. She valued remaining in her familiar Scotts Valley community with her many friends. She also enjoyed the new activities and new friends at Spring Lakes. Alene lived at Spring Lakes until her death on September 3, 2024, just shy of her 101st birthday. She is survived by: her sons, Malcolm (Patricia) and Calvin (Lillian) and daughter, Helen (Rick); grandchildren, Kristen (Fred), Colette, Blake, Amber (Nick), Lindsey (Leo), Katie (Max) and Max; and great-grandchildren, James, Jeffrey, Juliette, Virginia, Archibald and Henry.

Alene’s family wishes to acknowledge and thank her faithful, loving caregivers of many years: Mila, Yesenia and Tish. We also want to recognize the wonderful hospice workers who helped Alene at the end of her life.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz or Felton Bible Church. There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, September 21, at Felton Bible Church (5999 Graham Hill Road) at 11:00 a.m., with a reception following.