Allene Bish, 85, of Grand Island died Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Country House in Grand Island.

Allene R. (Miller) Bish was born August 1, 1929 in Ord, NE to Paul and Jeannette (Blessing) Miller. Paul Miller was employed by the Grand Island Daily Independent.Allene was raised in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1947. She attended grade school at Dodge Elementary where she first met Milan Bish, who later became her husband on St. Patrick's Day of 1951. Both she and Milan attended Hastings College. Allene studied music and took voice lessons from the late Millard Cates, and was also involved in business and secretarial courses.

In 1980, President Ronald Reagan appointed Milan as an Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean; where he was responsible for several island nations. Allene attended classes at the State Department in Washington, D.C. along with her husband to prepare for her role as an Ambassador's wife. Then the Bishes moved to Barbados; where they served until April 1, 1984, after which they returned to Grand Island. In 2000, Allene assisted Milan and author, Carol Bryant, in creating a book about their life and experiences in the Caribbean which was titled "Milan Bish: The Measure You Give".

Allene was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and enjoyed singing in the choir, assisting with baptisms, and attending Bible study classes. Allene enjoyed traveling with her husband, spending time with her family, grandchildren, and friends, volunteering at Crane Meadows, assisting with ESL (English as a Second Language), and serving on boards of Hope Harbor and the Grand Island Council of International Visitors. She was also a member of Chapter EZ PEO, the First Wednesday Book Club, the AOK Ladies, and an avid University of Nebraska football fan.

Survivors of the immediate family include daughters: Cindy Russell of Chicago, IL, Linda Delehant of Sacramento, CA; son: Chuck Bish of Grand Island. Also left to cherish her memory are five grandchildren: Ryan Russell, Alexandra and Lindsay Delehant, and Hailey and Milan Bish.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Milan Bish in November 2001; sister: Carol Moore of Denver, CO in May 2014.

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 1, 2015 at 10:30 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Grand Island. Online condolences may be directed to www.livson.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, or to the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Choir. Both donations can be sent to: St. Stephen's Church 422 W. 2nd St. Grand Island, NE 68801.