Arlene Daly

Arlene Rae Hubert Daly was born September 4, 1929 to Walter and Elisabeth (Schreiner) Hubert in Biddeford Pool, Maine where her father was the manager of a new JC Penney store. In 1933, the family returned to Iron River, MI, in the heart of copper and iron ore country, where Arlene lived through her high school graduation in 1947. Growing up, Arlene loved reading, tap dancing, riding her bike (earned through growing a Victory garden), and going to daily mass (sneaking out of the house starting at 6 years old!). Arlene continued to pursue her love of learning in college, graduating from Marquette University in 1951 with majors in history and philosophy. While in college, Arlene became an avid contract bridge player, which she pursued into the last decade of her life. She would later complete graduate work at Georgetown and earn a Master’s in Education at Catholic University. While in Washington, DC, Arlene began her favorite career as a high school History and English teacher, which she continued at Bishop Garcia Diego High School after moving to Santa Barbara in 1960. As a single working mother, Arlene knew she needed to earn a better salary with benefits, so in 1967 she reluctantly left teaching and learned computer programming. She began working for the Santa Barbara Police Department creating their first databases for bicycle and pet licenses. Over the final two decades of her professional life, she worked at the Welfare and Health Departments culminating in her position as Administrative Assistant to the Director of Public Health Services. After her retirement, Arlene traveled the world as she had always dreamt of doing. Favorite trips included: a pilgrimage following St. Paul’s footsteps through Greece and Turkey, an extensive rail  journey through Russia, a Nile River cruise in Egypt, and a VIP tour of her beloved Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field. Arlene’s foundation in her Catholic faith and her varied interests are reflected in her affiliations with: Southern California Renewal Communities, Area Council of Catholic Prayer Groups, San Roque Church parishoner, Rosary Group member, Catholic Relief Services, Via Majella, Community Arts Music Association, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and Santa Barbara Republican Women. During the last few years of her life, she resided at Vista del Monte, which is where she died of respiratory failure and the effects of cerebrovascular dementia on Dec. 25, 2019. She was lovingly cared for by the Vista staff, the VNA Health hospice team, and her remarkable personal care attendant and friend, Dolores (Lola) Rosales. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Mary Hubert, her son-in-law, Jonathan Hall, and her granddaughter, Natalie Hall. A vigil rosary service will be at San Roque Church on Thursday, Jan. 2, at 4 p.m. A funeral mass will be offered on Friday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m. at San Roque Church followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please contribute to one of the above named organizations.