NAPA - Henrietta Johns Garlick died peacefully at her home on Aug. 11, 2008, with her loving husband at her side.

Henrietta was born June 24, 1926, in Silt, Colo., and moved to Napa in her teens, where she excelled in academics; she graduated from Napa High School in 1943 — two years earlier than scheduled.

Henrietta lived life to the fullest. According to her, her most cherished and greatest achievement was her four children: Don, Bernardine, Sheri and Janelle. The love, pride and guidance that she showed us over the years made us truly grateful and proud to be her children.

Another of Henrietta’s great achievements, of which she was also so proud of, was she became the first woman insurance agent in Napa and started her own Farmers Insurance agency. She loved working for people and helping them with their insurance needs. She advertised for several years on KVON radio station, where you could always hear the bright shiny smile in her voice as she announced herself as “Your fast, fair and friendly Farmers Insurance Agent.” Even years after she retired and was no longer on the radio, people would stop her and comment on her friendly radio voice that they remembered so fondly.

It was during these years that she met and married the love of her life, Boyd Garlick. She and Boyd were married in 1977 and had a full, adventurous and loving life together. For many years they traveled the country and beyond, and had so many wonderful memories to share with family, friends and each other. When they were not traveling she loved to be at home baking and gardening. She was an awesome cook! She insisted that her cookie jar always have homemade cookies in there for her grandkids and guests. Every grandchild will forever have great memories of going to the cookie jar without having to ask and always finding one of her special treats.

With so much love and pride of her husband and children, her love continued to grow as her family expanded. She always said how blessed she felt with her “blended” family and the love that everyone felt for each other.

When not traveling, Henrietta and Boyd were very active with various projects around the home and socializing with friends. They were part of a large group of friends, whom we referred to as the “Friday Night Gang,” who went to different restaurants in the valley every Friday night. It was always the highlight of their week.

Henrietta suffered a series of strokes over the past several years, which began to limit her normal activities. Even though her mobility lessened, she maintained a happy and loving outlook. As her disease progressed and her condition worsened, she rarely complained and always flashed that beautiful smile.

Henrietta was predeceased by the following immediate family members: her parents, Lile and Frances Langstaff; sister Leona Bosch; grandson Doug Pierce and daughter Sheri Johns Pierce.

The family that survives her, of whom she deeply loved, are her husband Boyd Garlick; sons and daughters-in-law Don and Susan Johns of Auburn, and Ron and Lillian Garlick of Rio Vista; daughters and sons-in-law Bernardine and Frank Richards of Vallejo, and Janelle and Nick Brown of American Canyon. Her grandchildren and their spouses include Deana and Steve Michonski of Edwards, Colo., Kari and Darren Reinhardt of Cedar Park, Texas, Kirk and Barbara Garlick of Dixon, Eddie Pierce of Napa, Sarah Johns of Reno, Nev., Danielle and Andrew Cano of Vacaville and Alex Isler of American Canyon. She also leaves 11 great-grandchildren; sisters Betty Gardner and Georgia Parmley of Oregon and brother Bud Langstaff of Oroville, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to extend the deepest gratitude to ABBA Home Care and Hospice of Napa Valley who took such wonderful care of her.

We will forever miss her vibrancy, her beautiful smile and the love she showed to all, but we are thankful that she is now pain-free and in the presence of God.

The family invites you to attend a celebration of Henrietta’s life on Monday, Aug. 18, at 11 a.m., at Richard Pierce Funeral Service, 1660 Silverado Trail, Napa. Pastor Lee Shaw will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Napa Valley Hospice in Henrietta’s name would be greatly appreciated.

Friends may leave their condolences at www.rpfsc.com. Services are under the direction of Richard Pierce Funeral Service, Napa.