Arla entered heaven’s gates in the loving arms of Jesus on February 16, 2024. There is no doubt she heard the words “well done, good and faithful servant.”    She passed away at home hand-in-hand with her loving husband and surrounded by all her children.  Following a very brief illness, Arla was placed on hospice care in her final few days and her home was filled with a large crowd of family members. There is not one family member who did not feel they were her very favorite.

Arla was born in Spokane, Washington to parents Lillian Viola “Arla” Daniel and James Leland “Lee” Daniel, the younger sister of brothers Leland and Rod. Arla spent all her childhood years in the same home on the south hill of Spokane. Arla graduated from Lewis and Clark High School and went on to graduate from Whitman College in Walla Walla where she met and fell in love with Dean Mock. They married in Spokane on June 8^th, 1957. It was the “once upon a time” of a rare fairy tale romance that followed.

Dean and Arla moved to Seattle for dental school and Arla was kept busy during those years raising their first three kids (Susan, Wendy, and Danny) and supporting Dean during school. Upon graduation, Arla and Dean moved to Richland and welcomed two more children, Merrie, and Brenda. Arla and Dean were a match made in heaven. They were married for nearly 67 years and their storybook romance has inspired all those who know them.  They enjoyed many RV trips together, walks by the river, sharing a latte or splitting a meal, sitting next to each other on the couch holding hands for a nightly movie, enjoying Wednesday night dinner dates, and ending each day with Dean reading poetry to Arla. They appreciated every life event big and small such as a recent snowfall when the two of them made snow angels in the front yard. No matter what the day brought, every day was “a good day” and Dean and Arla shared with each other all the things they were thankful for that day. It was a daily routine to treat each other as royalty in what truly was their lifetime together, happily ever after.

Arla had many talents including being accomplished as a pianist/organist, as a seamstress and as a gardener.  Arla volunteered in many roles over the years including in her children’s classrooms, as a campfire girls’ leader, and as a volunteer at a before-school program for Marcus Whitman Elementary for many years until very recently. Dean and Arla were members of West Side Church for over 60 years.

Arla will be remembered most for her humility, her quiet strength, her hugs, her deep Christian faith, and her huge heart to serve others. She was selfless, never drawing attention to herself but instead lifting others up. She was an unshakable pillar of support for her family, an incredible listener and encourager, sharing in the highs and lows of family members’ lives. Arla could find the silver lining in any situation.   She loved to laugh and had a quick wit… and was so very fun to be with.   Arla will be remembered for her priority of family, for many family trips to the cherished family Priest Lake cabin, Sunday family dinners, nightly “coffee shop” facetime calls, many trips to welcome a newborn or care for a family member, and frequent road trips to visit her family in Washington and Oregon. Arla was full of faith, tender-hearted, courageous, and generous. She loved her family with every ounce of her being and she was very, very loved by all who called her Arie, Mama, Gigi, Grandma, Aunt, and friend.

Arla leaves behind the love of her life, Dean Mock, and children Susan (Greg) Fazzari of Walla Walla, Wendy (Brian) Bircher of Redmond, Dan (Tammy) Mock of Kenmore, and Brenda (Kevin) Harvey of Corvallis, OR. Grandchildren Tovah (Matt) Gaffrey, Danielle (Trevor) Hanzeli, Luke (Anna) Fazzari; Shawn Fazzari, Bryce (Brita) Bircher, Josh (Samantha) Bircher, Kaycie (Zach) Nelson, Marcus (Lora) Bircher; Andrew Mock, Elliot Mock, Christina Mock; Branden (Sammi) Harvey, Brittani (Ramzi) Rebeiz, Jennifer (Colby) Sticka, Robbie (Kenna) Harvey. Great Grandchildren: Dominic and Sam Fazzari, Beau Gaffrey; Matia, Jozsef and Rhys Hanzeli; Maria Claire Fazzari; Nolan, Tommy, and Gracie Bircher; Lincoln Bircher; Josiah, Tytus, and Noella Nelson; and Izabella Rebeiz.

Arla is preceded in death by their daughter Merrie (born and died in 1967), parents Lee and Arla Daniel, brothers Leland (Eunice) Daniel, Rod (Carol) Daniel, daughter-in-law Joy Mock, and grandson 1Lt Mathew Fazzari.

Arla’s life will be celebrated on Saturday March 23^rd, 2024, at 11AM at The Event Center at Sunset Gardens, 915 Bypass Highway in Richland. If desired, donations may be made in lieu of flowers to West Side Church, 615 Wright Ave, Richland, WA 99352. Please write “In memory of Arla Mock” on the memo line of your check.