Barbara Ann Oliver

was truly a beautiful moment as she passed with loved ones surrounding her while listening to

a recording of Sue, her oldest daughter, singing “The Wind Beneath my Wings.” She had just

celebrated her 95th birthday on November 24th. She has lived a beautiful and long life, living

it to the fullest and always eager to spread her good cheer with her friends at the Park Lane

where she has been a resident for about 14 years.

Arbe began her life in Mt. Vernon Washington where she lived on a strawberry farm with her

parents, Nell and Ray Barth and younger sister Andy Jo. We always enjoyed hearing her

entertaining stories about growing up on the farm. In 1943 she married Howard Gepner who

was father to her three daughters: Arbe is survived by Sue Pflederer and her husband Dick

from Williamsburg, Virignia, Pam George from Pebble Beach, and Vicki Schmidt and husband

David from Pacific Grove; along with their children; Lisa, Kelly, and Mark (Sue); Chris (Vicki);

Kim, Ashley, Cory, Whitney, Kyle and Nick (Pam). In addition to many great grandchildren,

some residing in parts of the US and others in countries around the world.

She has been married three times and moved to Wilmette Illinois from Bellevue Washington

when she married her second husband Ed Ellies, who had daughter Gia and granddaughter

Christy. Ed was the CEO of a major Chicago based company. Arbe helped him with his success

by supporting the social obligations of his company. Together they enjoyed traveling the

world. In 1971, their dream was to move to Pebble Beach where they designed a home. She

had certainly come along way as a rural farm girl from Washington to Pebble Beach where she

would continue on with such a blessed life.

After Ed passed, she married Mike Oliver in November 1992. Mike was a noted local artist and

had been a Pan Am pilot. Mike is survived by his children and Arbe’s step children; Bob Oliver

from Monterey, Carolyn Gold and husband Richard in California, Diane Oliver in Washington,

and Judy Schmidt and husband Dean from Monterey, California; along with Judy and Deans’

children; Chris, Daniel and Natalie.

Many years later, they ultimately moved into the Park Lane where Arbe soon became the

consummate “social chairman”, organizing goodies for their dinner table at night with her

friends and always decorating the elevator lobby table on the seventh floor with all of her

collections depending on the season and holiday. After Mikes passing in 2008, Arbe stayed at

the Park Lane and continued what she has always truly enjoyed, hosting parties for all seasons

and occasions. In addition to hosting, she loved to travel around the world and found great

enjoyment in decorating her many homes. Singing and gardening were among her many

passions as well.

Arbe lived life with zest. She always dressed to the nines and flashed her smile with charisma

and class. She held her family tight, especially the bond she had with her daughters as they

were best friends. She was the “hostess with the most-ess” transforming a dinner into an

experience with every detail pinned. She had her famous lines such as “hallelujah”, “hello

Gladys” and “oh happy day.” Her words always had meaning to those she spoke to. She had an

essence to make you feel like you were the most important person in the room. Blessed are

we, to have had time well spent with her. We all adored her and the angels will too. I am sure

she showed up with party bags in tow. Too-da-loo for now….until we meet again