Rose Arbo

After a full life of 93 years, Imelda Rose Arbo went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, Dec.  7, 2009. She passed away at Boundary County Nursing Home in Bonners Ferry.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 12, at Boundary County Nursing home.

Imelda was born June 12, 1916, in Vanceboro, Quebec, Canada, to John H. and Mary Lozier. When she was quite young, her family moved to Hampden, Maine, where Imelda attended local schools.

While attending high school at Hampden Academy, she met the love of her life, Arthur W. Arbo. They married Oct. 31, 1936, and raised four boys.

In the pursuit of earning a living, she and her husband built houses, established and sold a redi-mix concrete business and mined gold. They always put their four boys first.

Imelda and her husband spent 47 years together, exploring New England, Alaska, Arizona and California until her husband's death in 1983. Imelda spent the next 17 years living next door to her son, Paul, in Nogales, Ariz.

In 2000, Imelda moved to Bonners Ferry, residing at the Community Restorium and Extended Care Facility at Boundary Community Hospital receiving loving care until her death.

Imelda was thrilled by the smallest things in life — a new rose bud in her garden to a hummingbird at her feeder.

She loved to garden, take photos, dance and collect special stones to make jewelry.

Imelda can always be remembered by the smile on her face and the camera in her hand.

Imelda is survived by her sons Paul, Richard and Marshall; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Imelda also was preceded in death by a son Robert in 2006 and grandson Arthur Allen in 1984.

Family and friends may sign Imelda’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.