Agnes Ariey

Agnes Kenney Ariey

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and teacher, passed away at her home  in Lafayette on Monday, January 13, 2014, just 9 days shy of her 96th birthday!

Born in Santa Clara, Agnes was a life-long California resident.  She spent her early childhood in Santa Clara and Port Costa, later graduating from Alhambra High School in Martinez.  She delighted and thrived in the company of her instructors and fellow students at the College of the Holy Names in Oakland, from which she graduated in 1939.  Agnes received her teaching credential through UC Berkeley's education program and devoted her life to teaching.  Many of the 30 plus years she spent in teaching were in the primary grade classrooms of the Martinez School District.  Her deep affection for children made her an excellent teacher, and she was dedicated to all her students, ensuring that not a single child left her classroom without learning to read and discovering the delights of books.  Agnes loved teaching and spending time with her family, students and grandchildren, with whom she shared her laughter and love of reading.  Always kind and generous, she spent a great deal of her time helping others.  

Agnes is survived by her husband of 64 years, Andrew Ariey, and their four daughters; Cass, Molly, Betsy, and Pais; and seven grandchildren.  As a grandmother, she relished all her time spent with Andy, Zach, Chris, David, Duncan, Alex and Katie. The entire Ariey family is deeply grateful to Elen for the wonderful care and love she has shown our parents/grandparents over the years. 

There will be a Rosary at Hull's Walnut Creek Chapel, 1139 Saranap Ave., Thursday evening, January 23rd at 7pm.  The funeral mass will be at Christ the King Church in Pleasant Hill, 199 Brandon Rd., on Friday, January 24th at 10am.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation in Agnes' name be made to Next Step Learning Center, 2222 Curtis St. Oakland, CA 94607.