Arlene Gogatz-Samuels

Arlene Gogatz-Samuels was born March 20, 1940 in Manhattan, NY, the daughter of Arthur and Eleanor (Gibson) Gogatz. She passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at her residence in Cortez, Colorado at the age of 83 after a brief illness.  

Surviving Arlene are her spouse Vincent Paul Samuels of Cortez, CO; her daughter Gail Fattizzi of Westchester, NY; and her brother Arthur Gogatz.   Arlene was preceded in death by her parents and by her son, Scott Rosenthal of Denver, CO.  During her 50 years of living in CO, she held two jobs for over 20 years each, at The Hustler in Bailey and at the Park County Assessor’s office in Fairplay. 

Arlene was always a free and vibrant spirit.  Even while living in the Bronx (NY) her passions leaned toward nature, wildlife, music and uncovering the mysteries of the world around her.  She was an avid reader, a student of the universe, a loyal friend, and a supportive mom.  She loved wolves, pizza, sunflowers & tiger lilies, bird watching (no local bird or hummingbird ever went hungry!), Colorado’s “bluebird skies”, and the Rolling Stones, in no particular order.  She respected the natural healing powers of stones & crystals, and the symbolism of Indian kachinas.    

Her little family was the world to her – her husband Vince, their dog Rusty (and the many other “furry kids” that came before him), as well as her adult kids, Gail & Scott.  She was kind, intelligent and spiritual, resolute in her beliefs and convictions, precise in all she did, and always quick to laugh.  Her beautiful spirit will be missed by all those who knew her, but now graces the universe and is reunited with those who’ve gone before her.  Knowing her belief in reincarnation, don’t be surprised if your paths one day cross again. 

Donations in Arlene’s memory would be welcome at Mission:Wolf, www.missionwolf.org, 719-859-2157, info@missionwolf.org, 80 Sheep Creek Road, P.O. Box 1211, Westcliffe, CO 81252.