Marie Arlene Perry was born on September 27, 1937 in Biggs, California to Gabe and Mary

Perry. Arlene was the eldest of four children. She was preceded in death by her parents and her

siblings Gene Perry and Dorothy Steeves.

Arlene and Richard Grein were high school sweethearts who were married Valentine’s Day

1960. Arlene was known for her chatty and friendly personality. Her report cards noted her

talkativeness early on. She would mention there was no such thing as a stranger, just a friend

she hadn’t met yet.

Arlene loved her big, boisterous family and cherished her Portuguese roots. Being raised on a

dairy farm instilled a love of animals in Arlene from an early age. Arlene was also known for her

green thumb. She loved spending time in her garden and especially had an affinity for roses.

She also adored spending time at the family cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Arlene was a pillar of the Biggs community. She spent time working at a local bank. She and

Richard were the proprietors of Grein’s Market on B Street until the early 1990s. Arlene valued

history and antiques. She ran an antique shop out of Hastings House, now called The Victorian

Rose. As a lover of history, Arlene became the custodian of local and family history with photos,

artifacts, and stories going back hundreds of years. Deeply involved in a local sorority (Beta

Sigma Phi), Holy Trinity Association (HTA), and garden club, Arlene’s knowledge led to her

working for a summer at a local garden center.

Arlene passed away peacefully at home just days before her 89th birthday on September 24,

2026. She is survived by husband Richard, children Rachael Mattingly, Doug Grein, and Guy

Grein, granddaughters Meghan Stone and Amelia Mattingly, great-grandchildren Harper and

Rhett Stone, and brother John Perry.

In lieu of gifts please plant a plant and make a friend. Please also consider donating to the

Alzheimer’s Association as a tribute to Arlene Grein, and joining the Grein Family by

participating in the Alzheimer’s Association's 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in honor of Arlene

on October 17th in Chico’s Bidwell Park.

Those who knew and loved her are welcome to a celebration of life for Arlene that will be held at

The Victorian Rose (429 B Street in Biggs), Thursday, October 1st at 12pm. Please wear florals

in honor of Arlene and the garden of friends she cultivated.