Lena Barlow

She was born Sept. 10, 1923, to Mario and Maria Tunzi in Petaluma, Calif., at the family dairy. She graduated from Petaluma High School in 1941. 

Lena married Ralph Barlow on Jan. 22, 1945, in Flint, Mich., recently celebrating their 66th anniversary. 

After getting married, Lena and Ralph owned their own dairy from 1952 to 1979. Lena was a member of the Hessel Grange in Sebastopol, Calif. After moving to Oregon, Lena joined the Myrtle Point Grange, the Oregon American Legion Club Post 195 in Brookings, and the Emblem Club 265 in Brookings. Lena was always known for her helping hand and creativity.

Lena took classical piano lessons from the time she was 3 years old and played the piano and the organ for many organizations, weddings, funerals and always for friends. She worked tirelessly to help those less fortunate have food and happy holidays. Each year they packed food baskets with the schools, the fire departments, the Grange and the American Legion. She knitted and crocheted afghans for the veterans and anyone she met; almost everyone who visited Lena left with an afghan in his or her favorite color. She and her husband helped initiate an ambulance service for Brookings. They took foster children into their home, making several lifetime connections. 

Lena headed the Meals on Wheels program for Northern California and Southern Oregon, coordinating over 40 people to get meals to those in need. When she retired, she began a successful rental business and mastered the computer when she was 65 years old. 

Although she was proud to be born full blood Swiss, she was even more proud to be an American. 

She will be missed by her family which includes husband Ralph Barlow of Brookings; daughter Victoria (husband Franklin) Dickey of Crescent City, Calif.; grandson Ralph Dickey, granddaughter Angelena (husband Jason) Gray of Sebastopol; sister Elsie Wedel of Bodega Bay, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She is proceeded in death by her brother Milton Tunzi of Petaluma.

A private memorial was held at the Barlow residence.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.