Helen Cecilia Arbini

Helen Arbini, 102, a lifelong resident of Walla Walla, died peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2017, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, surrounded by family.

Helen was born on August 9, 1915, to Joseph and Maria Aliverti. Helen met her husband of 60 years while riding in the rumble seat of a friend’s car. Anthony Arbini and Helen were married November 9, 1935, in the chapel of St. Mary’s Hospital by Father Balducci. Helen worked alongside Tony in the onion fields and managed a crew of young people who fondly remember working for them. They both enjoyed dancing and music was a lifelong pleasure. Helen enjoyed visiting with one and all, and made friends wherever she went. She was sure to get your life story on initial meeting and was known for saying, “if you don’t ask any questions, you don’t get any answers”.

Helen is survived by three children and their spouses: John and Karen Arbini of Lakewood, WA, Larry and Gail Arbini of Walla Walla, and Carolyn and Steve Henderson of Olympia, WA; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Arbini; and siblings, Ambrose, Frank, Nina, Rose and George.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 18, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Church with Father Nicks, Officiant. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Generation Alive, which empowers young people to engage in their community, 418 W. Sharp, Spokane, WA 99201, www.generationalive.org; or Jubilee Women’s Center, which helps single homeless women in Seattle rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient, Women’s Center, 620 18th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112, www.jwcenter.org.