Michelle Arata

Michelle Arata, 63, died peacefully at her Ocean Park residence on December 15, 2014. A native of Washington, DC, she was born there on October 7, 1951. In 1977 she married John Long and they later divorced. In 1991 she fulfilled her dream of living on the west coast, moving to Washington state from Hollywood, Florida. Settling on the Peninsula, she began her love of the area by studying the various flora and fauna indigenous to the coast which is what originally attracted her to the Pacific Northwest. Michelle began making paper from Spartina grass found in Willapa Bay. Initially she made shadowboxes showcasing native ferns and fungi. From these beginnings she expanded her paper making endeavor, collecting, cooking and processing the Spartina into beautiful paper and other artistic designs. An example of her work can be seen at ShoreBank in Ilwaco as a ten foot wall hanging. Additional samples are also displayed at the Heritage Museum in Ilwaco. Michelle loved the Peninsula and it's seemingly endless beauty. She is survived by her son Ian Long of Nevada and numerous friends, neighbors and acquaintances on the Peninsula. At her request her cremated remains will be returned to nature locally. Memorials are requested to the Heritage Museum in Ilwaco, Angel Tree, Ocean Park Fire District, Pueblo Poverty, Adopt-a-Cottage, Tom and Louis Cupboard, LA Pasoda Homeless, Salvation Army, Harbors Home Hospice, or Los Pobres. Her guest book is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.