Arlene Gallaway Ghera
Our mother passed away peacefully on December 17, 2022 (ten days shy of her 90th birthday). Arlene was born in Eureka on December 27, 1932, to William and Ruby Gallaway. She spent much of her childhood in the logging camps of Southern Humboldt and Santa Cruz. As her mother cooked for the various camps, Arlene was left in charge of her five younger siblings. She had many stories to tell of their various antics during those early camp days. For a short time, during WW2, her family moved to Fields Landing where she attended Field School and later Eureka’s Marshall School. After the war, the family moved back to the town of Blocksburg. She spent many days riding her horses, sunbathing on the Eel River and taking care of her younger brothers and sisters.
As a teen Arlene would ride the train from Blocksburg every Sunday to Fields Landing so she could attend Junior High and High School in Eureka. When she turned 17, she began working for Eureka Fisheries. While working there she met our father, Walt Ghera. On their first date Dad took Mom to the Redwood Acres stock car races. Mom hated stock car races. She took him to the Fortuna Rodeo on their second date. Dad hated rodeos. They married a year later in June of 1952.
In 1955 Arlene and Walt bought a home on Humboldt Hill where they spent the next thirty-three years together. During that time, they had three children, Mike, Sharon and Cindy. We were so lucky to have such wonderful parents who loved us unconditionally.
Our parents were not only husband and wife they were the best of friends. They did everything together. Mom spent many years accompanying dad on hunting and fishing trips and they always had time to visit with relatives and old friends. Their favorite vacation spot was Reno, Nevada. They would travel there every year after “crab season”.
Arlene wore many hats during her lifetime. She served as a PTA member, room mother, Cub Scout leader, Campfire mom, 4-H mom, and classroom aide. In addition to being “Mom” she helped my father with his commercial fishing business and was a founding member of the Commercial Fisherman’s Wives of Humboldt. She campaigned to build a lighthouse on Humboldt Bay and to obtain Coast Guard helicopters for the safety of our community. The Fishermen’s Memorial Statue, built by Dick Crane, was one of her many accomplishments while working with the dedicated wives of our local fishermen. She was also a past member of the Humboldt Art Association and Redwood Quilt Guild.
After our father’s passing in 1993, Mom didn’t want to just sit around and grieve. She wanted to pursue a job where she could work with children. She began working with CASA and then for Sequoia Park Zoo as the assistant gift shop manager. She loved her job and stayed there for the next twenty years. She retired at the age of 81. She spent her free time gardening, quilting, and painting. However, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren was her favorite pastime.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents William and Ruby, husband Walter, son Michael, daughter Cindy Vanderheiden, brother Robert Gallaway and sister Billie Goodwin. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Ferreira (Frank), son in-law Dennis Vanderheiden, daughter inlaw Jenny Ghera, grandchildren Ron Ghera, Brian Johnson, John Ferreira, Haley Ferreira, Alex Danielson (Kyle), Kylie Vanderheiden, Kelly Vanderheiden, brother Harry Gallaway, sisters Doris Fearien, Betty Brazil (Jerry), sister in-law Lee Gallaway , seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
We would like to acknowledge her dear friend of 80 plus years, Nova Cramer. A special thank you to the staff at Seaview Rehabilitation and Wellness Center for the care and love they showed our mother for the past two and a half years, after her dementia diagnosis.
At Arlene’s request the family will have a private internment. There will be a Celebration of Life/Open House, located at 4084 Walnut Drive in Eureka from 1:00-4:00 pm, Sunday, March 26, 2023. Donations in Arlene’s memory can be made to Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation, Hospice, or a charity of your choice.