Obituary

Della Mae Howard Farley passed away on January 7, 2025 in Citrus Heights, California at 95 years of age.

Della was born in Elsinore, California on September 7, 1929 to Edward and Josephine Howard. She eventually moved to Santa Monica, California and graduated from University High School in Los Angeles. She married Alfred (Al) Edward Farley on September 12, 1947 and they were happily married for 55 years. They lived their lives together in Santa Monica, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Hills, California, but they spent most of their life together in Carmichael, California. They had four children, Linda Eichberger, Trina Gentle, William (Bill) Farley, and John Farley.

Della was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, and aunt who loved her family and took excellent care of them. She enjoyed cooking and always prepared tasty meals for everyone to enjoy. Family and friends looked forward to visiting her as she would always offer something delicious, whether it was a drink, a snack, dessert, or a full meal. Della was known for her yummy spaghetti, macaroni soup, and serving a “nice roast.” She made her house a home where everyone was welcome.

While Della cared for her family, she also performed a lifetime of secretarial duties working full time outside the home for various employers, something that was uncommon for women of her generation. While her sons were growing up and playing baseball in the local leagues, Al was the manager and coach of the teams while Della served as the league’s secretary. She continued her outside employment until she retired in her early 70s. Her skills were many, but she was especially proud of her fast-typing skills, a trait that surpassed most people’s abilities.

Della enjoyed many past-time activities. But most of all, she enjoyed gambling. She always said that was her favorite thing to do, and nobody dared stop her. She regularly played bingo, bought scratchers and lottery tickets, and played the slot machines at the casinos. Her dream was to hit the big lottery. Although she never won the lottery, she always seemed to win a sufficiently large amount of money during her journey, which she often shared with her family in one way or another. Additionally, she and Al, along with their family or friends, enjoyed camping somewhere that Al could go fishing.

Della was preceded in death by her husband, Al, in 2003. For the next 20 plus years, she lived alone taking care of herself in the same house in Carmichael where she and Al raised their family. Throughout her life, she demonstrated a high level of independence, which gave her the courage, ability, and strength to live alone in her senior years. She is survived by her children, Linda, Trina, Bill, and John, brother Richard Howard, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Della made this world a better place for everyone who knew her. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. A graveside service will be held on May 2, 2025 at Fair Oaks Cemetery District in Fair Oaks, California where Della and Al will be interred together; Oak Knoll, Niche G, Row 01, Grave 07. Her plaque will read, “Lucky Lady 7s” to commemorate her luck and enjoyment of gambling.