Marie Abare Cook
August 29, 1935 - February 26, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mom Marie. She passed away on February 26 in the hospital after a courageous health battle. We will never forget her strength, she fought for all she believed in.

Marie was born on August 29, 1935 at the Scotia Hospital to Albert and Emma (Scatena) Abare. She was an only child and adored by her parents. She was playing the piano and dancing in front of an audience by the time she was four. She had a love for horses and her dad made sure she had her own horse, lessons and a stable. She grew up in Rio Dell — her grandfather owned a hotel and bar room where she lived until she was 12, then they moved to their forever home on Pacific Ave. 

She always shared with us the early days of her life when she would sit on the stairs to the hotel and watch people come and go. Her mother and aunts would cook all day, wonderful Italian meals to serve the guests. Her mom, our Nonie, was a talented cook and taught her daughter how to make homemade raviolis and her famous spaghetti sauce along with teaching her how to speak fluent Italian. Our mother also received the great talent from her mother to entertain — everything was thoughtful and planned when they had friends or family over for a meal.

Mom attended Rio Dell Elementary School, Fortuna High School and Chico State, worked at the Scotia Inn for many years and finished her career as a phlebotomist at Redwood Memorial Hospital, where she retired in 1997. Marie married her husband of 65 years Gary on November 24, 1957 at the Scotia Catholic Church. They moved to San Jose, where they had their children and met their lifelong friends and ohana the Carvalho and Rodrigues family. Our mom cherished all of her friendships very much and treated them as family. Whatever was hers was yours. Her kind soul never wavered. She once stopped the car, got out and took her socks off to give to a homeless woman (she told us when she got back in the car they were clean, she just put them on after her shower). That was our Mom!

Marie comes from Italian and French heritage. The Abare family was from Wooster, Mass. She had a deep love for her family, our parents made a trip of a lifetime to the East Coast in 1991 to visit her family. So many wonderful memories for her. Her love for her family was steadfast, the best mom and wife ever.

Besides her family, which always came first, she had a love for dogs, loved to cook, crochet (we all stay warm in the winter with one of her many hand-made blankets). Beau, her great-grandson, has the last one she crocheted, special. She also enjoyed gardening, bus trips with friends, the cooking channel and relaxing in front of an old movie.

We remember growing up in Scotia when they had the Kiwanis Day Parade, mom made sure we had the best prize-winning costumes, whether it was Mike and Tom as cowboys, Maryanne as the Flying Nun and Jon as an authentic logger. She always made a strong effort to be the best for her children. Our parents loved to dance, fond memories of our family dance parties in Scotia!

Thank you to the following for the compassion they showed to our mom: St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dr. Luh and staff, Dr. Siddiqi and Staff, Dr. Bernstein and staff, Dr. Stokes and Staff, Angela Murray and Staff, Mark and ER staff, Ivy and staff, Father Michael Cloney, Greens Fortuna Pharmacy, her caregiver Denise for her wonderful care and love. And her best friend Winnie Bettiga — they shared so many memories, raised their children and most of all laughed every time they were together.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Emma. She leaves behind her husband of 65 years, Gary; daughter Maryanne (Harry); sons Jon (Kim), Mike and Tom (Lisa); four grandchildren, Kristy (Adam), Lexy, Nathaneal, Austin; great-grandson Beau.

Our mom was kind, generous, loyal, honest and tough was her middle name. Her wisdom will carry on in us forever. All who knew her would agree, our hearts are broken and we will miss you for eternity. A remarkable woman we were proud to call Mom, grandma and great-grandma.

A mass in her honor will be on Saturday April 15, 2023 at 5 p.m. at St Joseph’s Catholic Church. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday April 16, 2023 at the Monday Club from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for family and friends. In lieu of flowers you can donate to the Human Society for our mothers love of animals.

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