Our amazing and beautiful mom, Arlene Joyce Bartley, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, June 20, 2021. She was laid to rest next to the love of her life, the late Danny Bartley.

Arlene was an only child born to Peter and Mary Fabbri of Arcata. Arlene resided most of her life in the Arcata and Bayside area. She and Danny built their dream home in Bayside in 1991, where they enjoyed years of gardening and working around their beautiful property together.

Arlene’s number one priority was her family. Arlene was very generous to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The backdoor was always open, cupboards were stocked and nobody left their house without carrying something she was “sure we needed” – even if she had just purchased it for herself. In her impactful time, she blessed each and every member of her family in one way or another.

Arlene was fierce with love for her family and she always made every holiday special. She made it a priority to spend hours with her grandchildren watching scary and classic movies, playing rummy, and made sure every movie night ended with hot chocolate and toast before bed. She loved making her most coveted jam for her grandkids. Christmas would never be complete until she’d made her famous danish cookies which were a holiday staple. She was a great cook and we never turned down an offer from her to make us her special macaroni salad.

A novel could be written with scenes filled her zany and hilarious personality. She was often referred to being “just like Lucille Ball” with her crazy and often true antics. Arlene had many dogs with poodles being her favorite. She planned her day around caring for her dogs and up until her passing, she loved and cared for her sweet dog, “Buddy.” Any animal fortunate enough to be loved by her was very lucky. Her grandkids would admire how she even cared for the crows who would come to the backyard. Arlene was very, very special to all of us. She left us rich with great memories and always had us laughing.

Arlene was preceded in death by her soulmate, Danny Bartley, and her parents Pete and Mary Fabbri. She is survived by her son Gary D. Bates, her daughter Sherie Walker, and her daughter in law, Lona Bates. Her stepdaughter, Nina Fike (Jimmy), and her stepsons, James Bartley, and Andrew Bartley Jr. Her grandchildren, Tricia Rogers (Nate), Travis Walker (Elizabeth), Matthew Bates (Cynthia), Maegan Bates Smith, along with her step grandchildren, Ryan Bisio, Gianni Bisio, Andrew Bartley, and Michael Bartley. Her great-grandchildren, Natalie and Nathan Rogers Jr., Bailey Walker, Natalie Bates, Joseph Bates, and Hanna Smith. She is also survived by friend and father of her children, Gary Bates and his wife Betty.

In honoring Arlene’s wishes, there will be no services.

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