The woman who was struck by a Community Transit bus on Main Street in Monroe on Thursday, Sept. 25, has succumbed to her injuries.
Eighty-two year old Marion Allred was struck by the bus as she was attempting to walk cross W. Main Street to attend a production of "Hello Dolly,GÇ¥ which was being performed at the Frank Wagner Performing Arts Center. Allred was coming from the East County Senior Center where she had just spent time eating dinner with friends. The incident, which occurred at approximately 7:26 p.m., caused Allred to sustain severe injury.
She was transported by emergency vehicle to Providence Hospital in Everett for treatment, and passed away at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 26.
Allred was extremely active in the Monroe community and her at church, First Baptist Church in Monroe. First Baptist Church Pastor Dale Sorgen visited the hospital Thursday night and joined several other church members and friends of Allred's who gathered to pray for her as she underwent surgery.
Sorgen stated that she will be sorely missed and that he was grateful to have been able to be there with Allred, a long-time member of the church.
"She loved the Lord Jesus,GÇ¥ said Sorgen. "Her faith was important to her.GÇ¥
Pastor Sorgen described Allred as an independent, kind and gentle woman who loved teaching, loved the Lord and loved working with children. She had a heart for service and was well-loved in the Monroe community and in the community at First Baptist Church. She volunteered extensively for the church, teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.
She also volunteered with the church's Awana program; a special youth-oriented ministry which takes place every Wednesday. Sorgen shared that she was a gifted teacher.
"She loved children,GÇ¥ said Sorgen. "She loved to teach.GÇ¥
Allred was a long-term teacher for the Seattle School District, and was a substitute teacher for the Monroe School District up until 2010. After her tenure was over she remained active with the district and helped with the district's drama productions.
"She was such a wonderful gal,GÇ¥ said Monroe School District Communications Director Rosemary O'Neil. "She was this little tiny bit of a woman, but do not mistake her for being anything but truly powerful.GÇ¥
Sorgen and O'Neil both agreed that Allred was strong, and both held her independence in high-esteem. She lived her life to the fullest. She was passionate about service and volunteered as often as she could for numerous organizations.
"She served, and in that Christ-like kind of way,GÇ¥ said Sorgen. "She served, not expecting anything in return, and that's the way we're supposed to serve.GÇ¥
Sorgen interacted with Allred frequently. He recalled chatting with her at a recent meeting to discuss the church's 2015 mission trip to Uganda.
"We had our first mission meeting a week or two ago just to see the level of interest in the church,GÇ¥ said Sorgen. "She came up to me and she said, "Now Pastor, I want to go on that mission trip, and I'm not too old!'GÇ¥
Allred didn't have family close-by, but is believed to have distant relatives located in Arkansas. The church is hoping to reach out to Allred's relatives to offer their assistance. They are ready to help in whatever way they can.
"We're her family,GÇ¥ said Sorgen. "That's what we'll do.GÇ¥
The incident is still being investigated by the Monroe Police Department. The Community Transit bus was traveling westbound when it collided with Allred, who was in the westbound lane. The collision occurred on the 700 block of W. Main Street, and Allred was not in a crosswalk.
Allred, who was knocked off her feet at impact, rolled under a parked minivan. The first responding officer and two bystanders helped to lift the minivan to free Allred, who was then rushed to the hospital.
Alcohol was not considered to be a factor in the collision.
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