With deep love and admiration, we remember Valene June Farlow, who passed away in Garberville, after a remarkable 24-year battle with cancer. She would have turned 90 this year, a milestone that reflected a life rich in love, faith, and adventure.

Born in Los Angeles on July 19, 1935, Val was a woman of strength, warmth, and unwavering faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dona, her childhood friend & sister-in- law Mary. She leaves behind a loving family; her siblings Jim, Nyla, Vance, and Dina; her stepdaughter Wendie; her grandchildren Brent and Brandon and their families; and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends, including her longtime friend in faith, Jo Ann.

Val’s devotion to her faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses shaped her life in profound ways. In 1953, she embarked on an unforgettable journey across the country to attend an International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York City. The experience deeply moved her, and upon returning home, she was baptized, beginning a lifelong commitment to serving Jehovah God. She made the journey again in 1958, this time camping along the way with family and friends — an adventure she would never forget.

In 1967, Val embraced another great adventure, moving with her husband and stepdaughter to the Mattole River area in Southern Humboldt County. Along with her siblings and mother, she helped build a life in the rugged beauty of the Mattole River. Their home—a former logger’s cabin—became the heart of their new way of life, filled with gardens, animals, and laughter. With a milk cow, a steer named “YumYum,” and the joy of simple living, those years were filled with unforgettable memories.

Val was a gifted artist, a talented draftsperson, and a lover of books and nature. She spent years drafting maps for a title company in southern California and later for Bushnell Survey in Garberville. But beyond her skills, it was her love for people that defined her. She was a source of encouragement, kindness, and deep faith, always eager to share her hope in Jehovah’s promises of a future free from pain and suffering. This hope sustained her through years of illness, giving her peace and strength. Val was a woman of great faith, kindness, and resilience. She kept her zest for life even as she aged and through illness. Her love will continue to be felt by all who knew her and will be deeply missed.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Valene Farlow’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.