Grace Alice Farley

Grace Alice Farley, a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and beloved member of the Nicasio community, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 16, 2025 at the age of 96. Her life was testament to service, faith, and love of family and friends. Grace was born on October 13,1928 on Mt. Vision Ranch in Inverness, California, to Manuel and Rose Leal. In 1932, they moved to the Bourne Ranch between Bolinas and Stinson Beach, today the site of the Audubon Canyon Ranch preserve. In 1940, the family moved to Slide Ranch in Muir Beach. Grace and her five sisters worked hard alongside their parents on the dairies they ran on all three of their ranches. She attended grammar school in Bolinas and, later, Old Mill School in Mill Valley before graduating from Tamalpais High School. 

After high school, Grace began working at Pacific Bell Telephone Company with her sister, Mary Bruce. Grace later married Robert Allen Farley of Nicasio, where they raised their 4 children Edward, Robert, Daniel and Teresa. Grace was deeply involved in the community as a Nicasio 4-H cooking leader, Marin and Sonoma county junior foods fair judge, Nicasio Ladies Auxillary and Nicasio Historical Society member. She was also a lifelong parishioner and matriarch of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where her presence and service touched many.  She loved hosting the weekly coffee group from church and was always welcoming friends to her home to share a cup of coffee or a piece of her delicious cookies or apple pie. Each year Grace looked forward to the voting booth at her house and greeting the community as they came to cast their vote. October was her favorite month where she would sit on her back deck and watch the children run around the Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch. 

She adored being a grandmother and great grandmother and never missed a chance to show it. She loved attending her grandchildren’s softball, baseball, and soccer games, and playing peek a boo with her great grandchildren.

Grace is survived by her children: Edward Farley (JoAnne) , Robert Farley, and Teresa Carlson (Chris); her grandchildren: Melissa, Krista , Kevin, Bryan and Jamie and 10 great grandchildren. Grace is also survived by her sister Jane Silva (Pat) of Santa Rosa. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Farley; her son Daniel Farley; her sisters Violet Cowles of Vallejo, Georgia Bartl of Santa Venetia,  Ruth Dougan of Beatty, Oregon, Mary Bruce of Fairfax. and by her parents, Manuel and Rose Leal. She is also remembered with love by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews, who will continue to carry her memory forward.

Grace will be remembered for her boundless generosity, and devotion to those she loved.  Her family extends heartfelt thanks to all who supported her throughout her life and later years. 

Graces life will be celebrated on Saturday, September 6, at 11:00 at St. Marys Church in Nicasio, followed by a gathering of friends and family at the Nicasio Druids Hall.

Donations in her memory may be made to St. Marys Church of Nicasio.  PO Box 591, Nicasio CA 94946.