Amalia (Mollie) Barge died peacefully at HomePlace Special Care Center in Oak Harbor March 22, 2003. Mollie was born in Colorado City, Texas, Oct. 30, 1927, to Paz Lucero and Antonio Perez Alvarado.

Her early years were spent in West Texas. She moved to Oak Harbor in 1958. Mollie was a loving mother and grandmother whose life was devoted to her children, family, and community. She was a founding member of Save Whidbey For Tomorrow (SWIFT) and was elected an Island County Freeholder in 1975.

An avid reader, Mollie engaged in lively discussions of current affairs and was also a loyal Seattle Mariners baseball fan. She loved spending time outside walking Penn Cove beach with family or tending her perennial garden with its many old-fashioned roses.

Mollie also had a lovely voice and music brought great joy to her life. A devout Roman Catholic, she participated in the Altar Society, choir and other church activities.

Mollie is survived by her children Joe (Irene) Barge, Tony (Liz) Barge, Rick Barge, Elizabeth (Gerry) Vandam, Maria (Bruce) Carlson; four grandsons, Robert and Andrew Barge, Patrick and Nicholas Vandam; and four granddaughters, Deborah and Christina Barge, Kathryn Vandam and Natalie Carlson. Mollie is also survived by five siblings, Enrique Alvarado, Dora Sanders, Josephine Hurtado, Lila Nunez, Mike Fierro, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Mollie’s family would like to thank the caring staff of the HomePlace Special Care Center for their kindness while she was in residence. A funeral mass was celebrated in her memory by family friend Reverend Father Raymond Heffernan at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Coupeville March 24. Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a favorite charity.

Funeral arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. This obituary is on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.