Lillian (Dolly) Rovai Martinelli Christen, born March 17th, 1919, passed away the morning of May 7th, 2017, with her husband by her side. She leaves behind her husband, Ray Christen, son Leory Martinelli (Victoria Grant), daughter Loretta Martinelli, granddaughter Cherie Avila (Lance), and three great grandchildren: Chrissie Anderson, Jayce Anderson and Ashlee Primofiore. Dolly is preceded in death by her first husband, Lindy Martinelli, brothers Julio and Gino and sister Annie.

Dolly was an active member of lodges and Redwood Empire Country Club. In her retirement, she took up golfing and painting. She and Ray also enjoyed traveling and taking many cruises together including: Hong Kong, China, Panama Canal and Europe. As independent as Dolly was, and how uncommon issued birth certificates were then, Dolly chose her birth date and year to suit herself.

A rosary will be held Wednesday, May 10th, 2017, 7 p.m., at Goble’s Mortuary in Fortuna and a funeral mass will be held Thursday, May 11th, 2017, 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fortuna.

Memorial contributions may be made to Breast Health Project, 987 8th Street, Arcata or charity of choice.

Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com.

The obituary above was submitted by Dolly Christen’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.