Arlene Barraza

1936 - 2023

Arlene passed away at home on March 9th. She was born in Santa Clara to Edward and Zulmeda Silva. Arlene was a lifelong resident of the San Jose area. She grew up in Santa Clara and graduated from Santa Clara High School. While still in high school she started working at Pacific Manufacturing in Santa Clara and continued working there after she graduated. After a few years, she left the PM Mill and went to work as a secretary at IBM in downtown San Jose. She worked there until she married her loving husband in 1956. Her husband, Dave, was drafted into the Navy just prior to their wedding date. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor on a destroyer. Arlene was able to join him in Honolulu during his two-year tour of duty. After his discharge, they returned to the San Jose area. For Arlene, it was always family first. She had four wonderful children: Richard (Dawn), Steven (Robyn), Kenneth (Gloria), and Linda (Thomas Lighthouse). They blessed her with nine wonderful grandchildren: Lauren (Joseph Gaggero), Erica, Shelby, Beth, Matthew (Kat), Emma, William, Mitchell, Hannah and two step-grandchildren: Nicholas Magill (Elizabeth), Shelia (Ryan Beard) and five great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Henry, Madison, Joseph and Robert. Arlene was a stay-at-home mom raising her four active children. She loved to attend their school and sporting events. She would be at almost every event of her loving grandchildren. After her children grew up, she went to work in the advertising industry. She worked there for several years until she retired when her husband retired. On Monday, April 3rd a visitation at 5:30 pm followed by a rosary at 6:00 pm will be held at Lima Family Mortuary, 466 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara. On Tuesday, April 4th at 11:00 am a memorial Mass will be held at Queen of Apostles Church, 4911 Moorpark Ave, San Jose. Followed by a burial service at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St, Santa Clara. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any donations to be made to Queen of Apostles, Saint Vincent de Paul Society to help the poor and needy.