Merle Alice Barlow

Merle Alice Barlow

Merle Alice Barlow died on February 21, 2008, at 91 years of age.

She is survived by her husband, Leland Barlow; her brother, Jack Morton and wife Betty of Eureka and her two children, Jacque Cooper and husband Al of Arcata, Jere Smith of Seattle, WA; and step-daughter, Kit Brambani and husband Rob of Eureka. Merle had six grandchildren, Brandee and Scott Cooper of Eureka, Austin and Geoffrey Smith of Seattle, and Nicholas and Lindsay Smith from the Bay Area. She was preceded in death by her son, James Smith of San Francisco.

Born in 1916 in Arcata and raised there, Merle was the daughter of second generation pioneer family, Edward and Hedvig (Spetz) Morton. An outstanding student, Merle garnered many honors in her academic career including as a senior, winning the first White Sweater award at Arcata High School which represented a kind of pinnacle of all-around success at the school. Upon graduation in 1934, she later matriculated to what was then called Humboldt Normal School (now Humboldt State University) majoring in music with an emphasis on the piano and french horn. With the latter instrument, she obtained a scholarship to College of the Pacific in Stockton, CA (now University of the Pacific), where she again excelled graduating with honors and a teaching degree.

Upon graduation, she met soon-to-be Navy man, Earle Smith whom she married in 1941 while residing in Colusa, CA. Here and then later in Seattle during wartime, she taught elementary school.

Through the late 40’s, 50’s, and early 60’s in both Eureka and Arcata, she enjoyed family life raising three children while teaching piano at home. Camping at Richardson Grove in Southern Humboldt County with the family during the summers was memorable for her while also raising begonias and orchids in her beautiful garden.

For Merle, music was the passion for the entirety of her life as she became the organist for the First Presbyterian and later St. Alban’s Episcopal church in Sunnybrae. She also played for funerals and weddings throughout her career enriched by the social aspect of all these activities as well. During the late 60’s and early 70’s, Merle accompanied Ruth Carroll and the Madrigal choir on the piano at Arcata High School. She also sang and accompanied The Humboldt Chorale for many years.

In 1982, Merle remarried Leland Barlow who had headed the music department at Humboldt State University and organized and directed the California Redwoods Chorale, a group of 30-40 singers in the classical tradition where Merle sang beautiful music in her soprano voice. She cherished this last part of her life as it entailed journeying to Europe on some 13 different occasions, singing liturgious compositions in various churches and cathedrals such as Notre Dame in Paris, France. She and Lee loved to regale folks with stories of their travels steeped in Old World culture and tradition.

Another high point for Merle was in 1984 singing with the group for the inauguration of Redwood National Park and Lady Bird Johnson Grove, presided over by the former first lady herself.

With an ever-present twinkle in her eye and her bountiful spirit, Merle Barlow will be sorely missed by her family, and many friends and admirers who loved her so. Perhaps she is making beautiful music in the hereafter.

Thank you to the kind and loving staff at Mycroft Supportive Care and St. Joseph’s Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday February 29, 2008, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church at 1675 Chester Avenue in Sunnybrae.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to your favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the care of Paul’s Chapel in Arcata.

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