Gladys Clifton Allen, 95 of Valparaiso, IN, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026. She was born May 17, 1930, in Chicago, IL, to the late Lee and Jessie (Valentine) Clifton. Gladys graduated from Lucy Flower High School in Chicago, and attended Valparaiso University, where she completed two years of studies in art. She was a member of Holy Family Lutheran Church, Herman Baptist Church, and Progressive Baptist Church, where she was baptized, all in Chicago, IL.
Gladys began her career as a pediatric nurse’s aid at Porter Memorial Hospital. She went on to work in catering for an elderly couple and then a professional group. Gladys did some custodial work at Christ Lutheran Church, and ran afterschool care at the Valparaiso YMCA and Boys and Girls Club for many years. She was a teacher’s aid at SELF School for 27 years, where she assisted in educating severely handicapped children, and retired in 2000.
Gladys was very involved as a Girl Scouts Leader in Chicago, where she led juniors, cadets, and seniors. She also worked at Camp Butternut Springs in Valparaiso as a consultant and a cook. Gladys proudly won the Girl Scout Leader of the Year Award and Volunteer of the Year Award. In addition, Gladys received the Mother of Cabrini Green Award in 1968, Valparaiso Builder’s Association Award, Leadership Community Award, and Mother of the Year Award in 1994, which was dedicated by her son, Richard, and her entire family.
Gladys is survived by her children: Dr. Richard Allen, Laura Dyson, Debra Allen, and Dr. Tina Allen-Abulhassan; brother, George Clifton; 14 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family members. She was preceded in death by her son, Mark Allen; and daughters, Kimberly Caldwell-Chiko and Kathy Allen-Randle.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Angelcrest Cemetery.
