Mari Jo is survived by her son, Donald George Arbenz; her granddaughters, Shamila, Ayla, Mollee, and Tessa; her great grandchildren, Mackai, Priscilla, Finley, Scarlett, Sienna, and Leo; her sister, Janet; her stepdaughters, Patti and Beth: and her step grandchildren, Steven and Megan.
Mari Jo was born on October 27, 1930, to Hillman and Lucille Lee in Covina, CA. At 6, she moved to Torrance, CA and at 16 to Las Vegas, NV where she graduated from high school. She moved back to California to go to Chapman University. Upon graduation she worked as a teacher for Los Angeles Unified School District.
Mari Jo married Richard Terrance Arbenz in 1951 and they moved to Orange, CA where she worked for Orange Unified School District. They had two sons, Richard and Donald. In 1973 she was divorced, but was remarried in 1982 to Charles Buchtel. She had three stepchildren, Patti, Bob, and Beth.
She received her Masters Degree from Pepperdine University and in 1981, she was appointed a principal in OUSD.
Mari Jo was loved by all who knew her. She was very involved at church, with her family, her friends, and with her sewing group. She will be greatly missed by everyone.
A celebration of life will be held on what would have been her 92nd Birthday, October 27, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. First Christian Church of Orange, 1130 E. Walnut Ave.,Orange, CA 92867. Following the memorial service, refreshments/light lunch will be available. There will also be a graveside service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorial.com for the Buchtel family.
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