On April 20, 2023 Heaven received a most precious angel, Emerald Grace Bartolotta (West). Emerald was born on May 19, 2001 to Charles and Dinah Bartolotta and raised in McKinleyville. She attended Arcata Christian School, Arcata High School, and College of the Redwoods. While attending ACS she was involved in many school productions and loved to show off her acting skills and will definitely be remembered for her red boots and red glasses. As an athlete, Emerald was involved in youth soccer and softball and played basketball and volleyball for ACS. Emerald was active in basketball, track, and ran cross country for Arcata High School and was a part of the AAI program at AHS, where it allowed her to further her artistic abilities.

Emerald grew up on the northern California coast where her appreciation, and respect for such beautiful, natural surroundings inspired a love of painting and photography. She won several awards for these gifts. She enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time on the ocean with her Dad, her partner in crime. Emerald and her mother were very close and loved going to concerts, movies and on long hikes together. She was always looking forward to her next visit to Arizona to see her auntie. Emerald loved visiting Florida to see her grandfather “Buddy”, sitting on the Florida beaches, driving his golf cart and beating him at chess.  Her trip to Washington DC with Buddy was a highlight for Emerald.

She was involved in several youth and college groups, and attended Telios Christian Fellowship. Emerald worked at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office as a property technician and enjoyed her work very much. She was collaborative, insightful, creative, a great team player and proud to be a part of such an important process. Emerald had a large role with certain policies in regards to the BWC, body worn camera, and helped develop procedures in the K-9 program. She had great respect for all of her coworkers in the Sheriff’s Office.

Emerald was a bright and shining light to her family and to everyone who knew her. She loved each and every one in her own special way, and possessed an immense joy for life. Emerald was a wonderful, supportive, and genuine friend, who could be silly with contagious laughter spilling over. Most importantly, she was compassionate and tender when needed and focused on always helping to lift up others. Emerald had an adventurous and loving spirit and will be remembered for her beautiful smile which touched everyone she knew. Emerald loved the Lord and His joy radiated from within her.

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Emerald is preceded in death by her grandfather Richard McCoy and her great-aunt Rose Bartolotta. She is survived by her parents, Charles and Dinah Bartolotta (McKinleyville); her aunt Harmony Lautzenheiser (Show Low, Ariz.); her uncle and aunt Robert and Lori McCoy (Sekiu, Wash.); grandparents Dennis and Debbie Gibson (Bakersfield), Eileen McCoy (Bakersfield), Charles Bartolotta (Kissimmee, Fla.); cousins Molly and Ryan McCoy (Sekiu, Wash.) and Tyler Lautzenheiser (Show Low, Ariz.)

Family and friends are invited to attend Emerald’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 10, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church in Arcata.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Arcata Christian School where a scholarship has been created in remembrance of her.

“Precious jewel, you glow, you shine, reflecting all the good things in the world.” – Maya Angelou

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