Allen spent much of her life trying to teach the public about being different, the Indianapolis Star reported. Her height -- 7 feet, 7 inches -- was a result of a tumor on her pituitary gland.

"She always accepted her position in life as God put her here for some reason," said John Kleiman, who was both a friend and her former agent. "She was going to do what she could to live that."

Another friend, Rita Rose, said that Allen, who reached 6 feet at age 10, did not fit in when she was in high school.

When the Guinness Book of World Records recognized her as the world's tallest woman, Allen became a public figure, appearing on talk shows and even in a Federico Fellini movie. But her height was also inconvenient and caused health problems.

Goliath Casket, which specializes in outsize coffins, told The Muncie Star Press that Allen's coffin was pre-ordered three years ago.